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THE 



AMERICAN EVANGELISTS. 



D. L. MOODY 



IRA D. SANKEY, 



IX GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND. 



JOHN HALL, D.D., NEW YORK, 
It 

AND 

GEORGE H. STUART, PHILADELPHIA. 




P" Jj 



NEW YORK : 

DODD & MEAD, PUBLISHEKS, 

762 Broadway. 



B V J78S 



Copyright, 

Dodd & Mead. 

1875. 



PEEFATOEY 1TOTE. 



That the present religious movement in Great 
Britain, which it has pleased God to further through 
the American evangelists, is entitled to adequate 
and permanent record in book-form on this continent, 
no one can doubt, to whom its extent and character 
are known. 

If any apology is needed for the editors in under- 
taking this work, it will be found in their personal 
knowledge of Messrs. Moody and Sankey, deep inter- 
est in the scenes of their Christian labors, and 
acquaintance with the " brethren beloved " who have 
stood by them, co-operated in their efforts, and borne 
cheerful testimony to the moral and spiritual results. 

In the reports, from whence the following pages 
have been compiled and arranged, there is much 
descriptive eulogy of the men whom God has used 
for spreading His truth. This has been uniformly 
omitted, in the firm belief that Christian readers, like 
the evangelists themselves, desire that man should be 
of little account, and that God should be all in all. 

The methods of operation are detailed without the 
10* 



PREFA TOR Y NOTE. 



expression of opinion, favorable or unfavorable. 
Many forms of Christian work are determined by 
Christian wisdom, and the conditions of society ; and 
men's views of plans are largely influenced by habits 
of thought, education, and general church-life. On 
these topics, and on the place and work of the evan- 
gelist our readers are commonly as competent to form 
a judgment as are the editors ; and our care has been 
to give a clear, colorless, and continuous view of the 
facts. We do not pronounce, and we do not predict. 
The main considerations, we venture to think, are 
that substantial truth is being held forth, and that the 
Spirit of Grod is blessing it, as evidenced by spiritual 
results. So far as it appears, with the exception of 
an occasional word respecting the coming of our Lord, 
there has been no expression of view out of har- 
mony with the truths most surely believed among us; 
as indeed may be inferred from the cordial approval 
given to Mr. Moody's teaching by University and 
Theological Professors in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and 
Aberdeen ; in Trinity College, Dublin, and in Bel- 
fast ; by more than one Bishop of the Irish Church, 
and by the most trusted ministers of all evangelical 
denominations in England, Scotland, and Ireland. 



PREFATORY NOTE. 



It has always been admitted that the best evidence 
of facts is their uncontradicted publication by reliable 
men, at the time and place of occurrence. This evi- 
dence we have sought to present, availing ourselves 
of the published communications of Christian men, 
such as Drs. Arnot and Blaikie of Edinburgh, Kirk- 
patriek of Dublin, Rev. R. W. Dale of Manchester, 
C. H. Spurgeon of London, Dr. Lowe of Liverpool, 
Lord Radstock, Reginald Raclcliffe Esquire, and 
others in whom the Churches of Christ, on both sides 
of the Atlantic, justly repose confidence. 

Partly from the desire to condense, and partly 
from the effort to present the facts as they have been 
reported by eye-witnesses, the narrative is rapid in 
movement, and sometimes abrupt in its transitions. 
Quotation-marks might have been employed in places 
where they do not appear, because, though the sub- 
stance of communications is given, there is so much 
necessary abbreviation that it would hardly be just to 
the writers to make them responsible for the more 
curt phraseology we have found necessary in a volume 
of the extent which we desired to produce. 

The order followed is of the simplest kind : Who 
are these men ? How did they come to the front, in 



6 PREFA TOR Y NOTE. 

America ? How did they enter Great Britain ? 
What has been their progress ? What did they 
teach? What are the results? These questions we 
have sought to answer ; and as to the vital matter, the 
truths set forth, we give several of Mr. Moody's 
addresses, as condensed in various journals, to speak for 
themselves. They occupy over sixty pages of this 
book, and give to it a peculiar interest. 

One striking and important feature of Mr. Moody's 
operations, we feel it right to emphasize — the co-opera- 
tion of the ministers uniformly sought and secured. 
So rigid is his rule on this point that he declined a 
visit to Sheffield, until substantial unity was secured 
in an invitation from the evangelical ministers of the 
town. On the same principle, meetings are not held at 
the usual hours of divine service, unless in the judgment 
of the local ministers* they are desirable. He has 
always felt that it is mischievous in the highest degree 
for occasional laborers, however admirable and useful 
'to weaken the hands of the stated ministry, on whose 
efforts the systematic and permanent instruction of 

* It may be proper to say, that in England, by the clergy is 
understood the ministry of the Episcopal Church. This will 
explain the apparent solecism, u The clergy, and ministers." 



PREFATORY NOTE. 



the people must, under God, depend. To this wise 
policy — the same pursued by Nettleton in this coun- 
try — has been due in a large degree the blessed unity 
of action, and may we not add, the large spiritual 
success, vouchsafed. If anything is fitted to mar a 
spiritual work, it is surely vituperation of its pledged 
friends and supporters. 

That opposition to this movement has appeared is 
known to all, though its amount has been far below 
what might have been expected. It has come from 
three quarters : those to whom all spiritual religion is 
fanaticism; those who can only conceive of true work 
within their own ecclesiastical lines ; and those who 
have either looked at it from a distance, or formed 
their estimate of it from unfavorable critics. The first 
class learns nothing ; the second learns slowly ; and 
to the third good men can only say, "Come and see." 

That the interest shown in mass-meetings and by 
eager crowds where the evangelists have been present 
should continue, is not to be expected in the nature 
of things. Only the most superficial will consider 
the results on this account evanescent. Sunshine, 
dews, and rains that water the earth, are evanescent in 
the same sense. The mightiest movements advance, 



8 PREFATORY NOTE. 

often enough, as does the tide ; each successive wave, 
though refluent in a degree, rising higher on the 
beach than did its predecessor. This wave, whose 
progress we are watching, has carried light and love 
where certainly they had not gone in our time : and, 
as the very report of what God does in one region 
has often raised inquiry, hope, and effort in another, 
we are not without the expectation that the record of 
progress in our mother-countries may stimulate zeal 
and effort on this continent, where the children enjoy 
a no less free Christian life, and where thought and 
feeling travel no less rapidly. 

Humbly beseeching Almighty God, the Father of 
our Lord Jesus Christ, whose Gospel we count the 
means in the hands of the Holy Ghost of all true life 
and progress, to further His work by this lowly in- 
strumentality, we respectfully dedicate this volume to 
the ministers of the Gospel, to the Sabbath-school 
teachers, to earnest laborers with tongue, and pen, 
and purse, who pray and toil that this fair America 
may be as the garden of the Lord, and her people a 
" righteous nation that keepeth the truth." 

THE EDITOKS. 



The American Evangelists. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE INSTRUMENTS EMPLOYED. 
MESSES. MOODY AND SANKEY.* 

Me. D. L. Moody was born in the year 1837 in one 
of the New England States, in the district which was 
the scene of the great awakening, under Jonathan 
Edwards, about a hundred years before. He was 
brought up a Unitarian, and had not even heard the 
gospel of the grace of God till he was about seventeen 
years of age. Going, about that time, to Boston, to be 
trained for business in the establishment of an uncle, 
he one day went into the church of the late Dr. Kirk. 
There, for the first time, he listened to an evangeli- 
cal sermon. It had the effect of making him uncom- 
fortable, and he resolved not to go back. He felt 

* Abridged from The British Evangelist, edited by Rev. W. 
Reid M. A., and Rev. W. P. Mackay, M. A 
1* 



10 WORK IN CHICAGO. 

that his heart had been laid bare, and he wondered 
who had told the preacher about him. Something, 
however, induced him to go back next Sunday, and 
the impression was renewed. A Sunday-school teach- 
er, in whose class he had been, having come to see 
him and ask for him at his place of business, he 
opened up his mind to him, and he was enabled to 
enter into peace and joy in believing. 

JSTot very long after this Mr. Moody left Boston 
and proceeded to Chicago, where he entered into 
business for himself. Being full of the desire to be 
useful, he went into a Sunday-school, and asked the 
superintendent if he would give him a class. In 
this school there were twelve teachers and sixteen pu- 
pils ; and the answer to his application was that if he 
could gather a class for himself he would be allowed 
to teach them. Mr. Moody went out to the streets 
and, by personal application, succeeded in bringing 
in a score of boys. He enjoyed so much the work of 
bringing in recruits, that instead of teaching the class 
himself, he handed it over to another teacher, and 
so on until he had filled the school. Then he began 
to entertain the notion of having a school of his own. 
He went to work in a neglected part of the city, where 



SEE VICE OF SONG. 11 



Eoman Catholics and Germans abounded. Mr. Moody 
saw that, to succeed in such a population, a school 
must be exceedingly lively and attractive, and as he 
observed that the Germans made constant use of music 
in their meetiDgs, he was led to consider whether 
music might not be employed somewhat prominently 
in the service of Christ. Not being himself a singer, 
he got a friend who could sing to help him, and for 
the first few evenings the time was spent between 
singing hymns and telling stories to the children, so 
as to awaken their interest and induce them to return. 
A hold having in this way been established, the school 
was divided into classes, and conducted in the usual 
way. 

This school became the basis of wider operations. 
After a time a lively interest in divine things began 
to appear among the children. This led to the hold- 
ing of meetings every night, and to the offering of 
prayers and delivery of addresses suitable to the cir- 
cumstances of the children. These meetings began 
to be attended also by the parents, some of whom 
shared the blessing. Some of those young persons 
who were converted at this time remain to the pres- 
ent day the most valuable and active coadjutors in 



12 FIELD DETERMINED. 

the work with which Mr. Moody is associated in Chi- 
cago. In most cases neither the children nor their 
parents had hitherto been connected with any Chris- 
tian Church. Mr. Moody began to find himself con- 
strained to supply them with spiritual food. At first 
he encouraged them to connect themselves with other 
congregations. But it was found that in these they 
were next to lost or swallowed up ; they felt them- 
selves strangers, sometimes unwelcome strangers, while 
they lost all the benefit of neighborhood, mutual in- 
terest, and combination in the worship of God. 
Gradually, therefore, Mr. Moody felt shut up to tak- 
ing charge of them, and supplying them with Chris- 
tian instruction. Both school and church continued 
to increase, the school amounting to about a thou- 
sand, and suitable buildifigs were erected through 
the liberality of friends. Mr. Moody had by this 
time given up business, so that he might be free to 
give his whole time and attention to the work. As 
he felt himself called by the Lord to this step, he re- 
solved to decline all salary or allowance from any 
quarter, and trust for his maintenance solely to what 
it might be put into the hearts of God's people to 
contribute. Being quite destitute of private means, 



THE CHRISTIAN COMMISSION. 13 

this resolution showed that his faith in a divine call 
to give himself to Christian work was capable of 
bearing a great strain. At the same time, while 
adopting this course for himself, he has never pressed 
it upon others, unless they should clearly see it to be 
their duty. And while believing himself called to a 
kind of supplementary work in the ministry, he is 
very far from prescribing the same role to others. 
On the contrary, he is the steady friend of a regular 
ministry, being fully persuaded that in " ordaining 
elders in every city," the apostles meant to set up 
the permanent platform of the Christian Church. 

Mr. Moody had acquired a position of much influence 
in the United States in connection with Sunday-school 
and mission work, when the war broke out between 
JSTorth and South. This led to a new turn being given to 
his labors. There w^as a large camp in the neighborhood 
of Chicago, to which he gave much attention, going 
there night after night and striving to bring the 
soldiers under the influence of Divine Grace. When 
the Christian Commission was organized he was presi- 
dent of the Executive branch for Chicago, and nine 
different times he went to one or other of the scenes 
of warfare, remaining some weeks and working with 



14 THE YOUNG MEN 

all his might. These services with the army were of 
no little use, not only in producing direct fruit, but 
also in developing that prompt and urgent method of 
dealing with men, which is still so conspicuous a fea- 
ture of his mode of address. With wounded men, 
hovering between life and death, or with men in 
march, resting for an evening in some place which 
they were to leave to-morrow, it was plainly, so far at 
least as he was concerned, the alternative of " now or 
never; 55 and as he could not allow himself or allow 
them to be satisfied with the "never, 55 he bent his 
whole energies to the " now. 55 

Mr. Moody 5 s labors in the army were often much 
blessed. Of all his campaigns of this kind there was 
none on which he looked back with more pleasure 
than that in the State of Tennessee, in connection 
with troops under the command of General Howard. 
That General being in the fullest sympathy with Mr. 
Moody, their work together was very earnest and 
much blessed. 

The war being ended, Mr. Moody had more time 
to develop his work in Chicago. To set others to 
work in the vineyard had long been one of his chief 
aims, and by means of the Young Men 5 s Christian 



CHICAGO FIRE. 15 



Association, in which he took a great interest, he was 
highly successful. The hall of the association became 
one of the stated scenes of his own labors. The asso- 
ciation was very unfortunate in the matter of fires — 
its first building having been burnt down in 1867, 
and its second in the great fire of Chicago, in 1871. 
Mr. Moody was accustomed to preach to his own 
people in the morning, to superintend a Sunday- 
school of about a thousand in the afternoon, and to 
preach again in the evening in the hall of the Young 
Men's Association. 

| In October, 1871, occurred the terrible fire which 
destroyed a great part of Chicago. Mr. Moody and 
his wife and two children were roused in the middle 
of the night to find the fierce fire approaching their 
dwelling, and, leaving the house and household gear 
to their fate (all the property he possessed) had to 
hurry along to seek shelter in the houses of friends. 
| In one month after the fire a temporary erection 
for mission purposes was completed ! No small ener- 
gy must have been required to accomplish this, amid 
the confusion, the bustle, and the variety of things 
that had to be attended to. But reared the wooden 
building was, and it has served the purpose of church 



16 NEW BUILDING. 



and school till now, when a new and substantial build- 
ing is sufficiently advanced to allow the basement 
story to be used for public services. 

It was shortly before the fire that Mr. Sankey 
began to work along with Mr. Moody, who, hap- 
pening on some public occasion to sit near him, 
was attracted by his beautiful voice. The thought 
struck him that Mr. Sankey would be a valuable 
assistant to him in many ways — in the Sunday-school, 
in the church, and in the training of the Young Men's 
Christian Association. He accordingly entered into 
an engagement with him to help him in his work by 
conducting " The Service of Song." Mr. Moody has 
always been eager to secure music — and especially 
good music — as an aid in preaching the Gospel. 

When things had settled down after the Chicago fire, 
Mr. Moody began to think of permanent premises 
for his school and church. A suitable site was secured, 
and it was resolved to proceed with the erection of a 
large and commodious building, which, besides accom- 
modation for the schools, will have a hall or church, 
containing sittings for 2,500. A little while ago it 
seemed likely that the whole sum necessary would be 
provided, but the general collapse in business de- 



IBA D. BANKET, 17 



prived the enterprise of some of the expected contri- 
butions. 

The immediate cause of his visit to Great Britain 
was an invitation by two gentlemen — Mr. Penne- 
father of London, and Mr. Bainbridge of Newcastle. 
It was a singular circumstance that both these gentle- 
men died before or about the time of his arrival. In 
regard to the spiritual superintendence of the con- 
gregation, it is supplied in a large measure by mem- 
bers of the flock, with occasional help from other 
pastors. Mr. Moody trains his people to be indepen- 
dent in fact, as they are Independent in name. It 
may be stated, however, that in one respect the con- 
gregation is Presbyterian ; it is governed by a session, 
not by the whole membership. 



MR. SANKEY. 

Me. Ira D. Sa^key was born at Edinburg, in the 
State of Pennsylvania, II. S., in the year 1840. 
He possessed the advantage of pious parents, so that, 
like Timothy, "from a child he knew the Holy 
Scriptures, which are able to make us wise unto sal- 



18 CONVERSION. 



vation," and in his case the truth of the text was 
exemplified, " Train tip a child in the way he should 
go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." 
Although so religiously educated, it was not until the 
year 1856 that he experienced that saving change 
of heart, the new birth, which can alone constitute 
us members of Christ. In his earlier years he had 
not been without the strivings of the Holy Spirit, 
which at such times as the death of relatives, the 
conversion of companions, or at seasons of religious 
revivals, often visit the hearts of the unconverted. 

The circumstances under which he was brought to 
Christ were as follows : — With some young com- 
panions he attended a series of special meetings held 
in a little country chapel, three miles from his 
father's home, and while sitting in a state of heed- 
lessness and levity, the Spirit of God put it into the 
heart of an old elder of the church to go and speak 
to him about his soul. Evening after evening the 
old man would search him out after the sermon, and 
plead with him to give his heart and consecrate his 
life to Jesus. Fear of what his young associates 
would say kept him long from coming to the Cross 
of Christ. But at last, after a struggle, lasting 



" ONE TALENT." 19 



seven days, the experienced elder led him to 
Jesus. 

He early displayed a taste for sacred music, and 
took an active part, after his conversion, in pro- 
moting the efficient training of Sunday-school chil- 
dren in the singing of hymns, and as soon as he became 
a Church member, he was invited to conduct the 
service of praise. In this department of Christian 
usefulness, together with superintending the Sabbath- 
school of his Church, and working in the Young 
Men's Christian Associations of his State, he devel- 
oped his present power of rendering sacred song. 
Before meeting Mr. Moody, much of his time was 
devoted to conducting " Evenings of Sacred Song," 
and leading the singing at large Sunday-School Insti- 
tutes, and Christian Conventions. 

It was at a National Convention of Young Men's 
Christian Associations in Indianapolis, Indiana, that 
Mr. Moody was struck by his voice ; and, as, on 
further acquaintance, they found each other's views 
and desires in regard to energetic mission work iden- 
tical in aim and spirit, they agreed to labor unitedly 
in evangelistic services. 

For two or three years they worked together in con- 



20 TEACHING IN SONG. 

ducting meetings at Chicago, as their headquarters, 
besides occasionally visiting other towns and cities, 
such as Philadelphia, Pittsburg, and Springfield. 

Mr. Sankey is fully persuaded that his mission is 
to stimulate and encourage the service of singing in 
religious worship. He is a strong advocate of good 
hearty congregational singing ; and approves of a 
large Christian Choi?" to lead, but not to monopolize 
the service of praise. 

In regard to the solo singing, Mr. Sankey, in sing- 
ing alone, does not propose to substitute this for wor- 
ship or praise, any more than the minister does when 
he preaches a sermon. But his aim is to speak to 
men in hymns and " Spiritual songs," admonishing 
them that Jesus of Nazareth is passing by. 

The melodeon and songs of Mr. Sankey have played 
an important part in the revival. As a means of 
awakening the people, they have been most effectual. 
Many who would not have gone to hear the preacher, 
have been drawn into meetings by reports of the sweet 
singing ; and nothing can exceed the impression pro- 
duced, after some stirring address by Mr. Moody, 
by the sweet voice and clear enunciation of Mr. Sankey 
taking up and enforcing the same theme in song. 



CHAPTER II. 

INTRODUCTION TO ENGLAND. 
IX YORK. 

Ox Sunday morning, June 22d, 1873, Mr. Moody 
preached in Salem Congregational Chapel to Chris- 
tian workers ; in the afternoon, in the Corn Ex- 
change, to about one thousand persons ; and in the 
evening in Wesley Chapel. Many were impressed 
and some brought to trust in the Saviour. Every 
evening the following week, Bible lectures were de- 
livered in various chapels, each service appearing to 
awaken souls, but especially to quicken believers. 

On Sabbath-day, June 29th, Mr. Moody preached 
in two other chapels, and also twice in the Corn 
Exchange to audiences numbering about one thou- 
sand each. Every week-evening service was pre- 
ceded by a service of song by Mr. Sankey. Prayer- 
meetings were held every noon at the rooms of the 
Toung Men's Christian Association, and many there 
offered themselves and others for the prayers of 
God's people. 



22 IN SUNDERLAND. 

The congregations were from the first increasingly 
large: all denominations opened their chapels and 
gave their presence and help, various of the clergy 
also heartily bidding them " God speed." * 

From York they proceeded, during the month of 
July, to Sunderland, and commenced their labors in 
the Victoria Hall, a place capable of holding about 
three thousand souls. The evening meeting was a 
large one, and very successful. 

At the close of the meeting, a large number ad- 
journed to Bethesda Chapel (Rev. A. A. Rees); 
much prayer was offered up, and many anxious 
souls were pointed to Jesus, several finding ever- 
lasting life through His precious blood. The meet- 
ings continued every night for a week, and at all 
the meetings souls were awakened, and some at all 
the meetings found peace. 

On Sunday (July 27), they were again at the 
Yictoria Hall. In the evening the attendance was 
enormous, every seat being occupied, and the aisle 
and the lobbies crowded ; upwards of three thousand 
souls were present. The audience was very deeply 
impressed. An adjournment was then made (as be- 
* Eeported by Geo. Bennett, Sec. York Y. M. C. A. 



NEWCASTLE- ON-TYNE. 23 

fore) to Bethesda Chapel. Here a very touching 
scene occurred. A. young man, who had long back- 
slidden, came up the aisle to his father and mother, 
who are godly persons. He first put his arms round 
his father's neck, and kissed him, asking his forgive- 
ness with many tears ; then kissing his mother, and 
asking her forgiveness ; afterwards kissing his younger 
brother. Several other backsliders returned to the 
Lord, giving hope that their repentance is truly the 
Lord's work. 

Newcastle, built, as its name implies, on the river 
Tyne, is a thriving, populous town, in which the coal 
and iron give employment to great multitudes of 
operatives. It was now approached. 

The minister of the John Knox Presbyterian 
Church, in Newcastle-on-Tyne, among many others, 
placed his church-building at the disposal of the 
Evangelists. Good meetings had been held in the 
Baptist Church edifice here, Mr. Skerry co-operating 
heartily. "We shall allow the minister of the John 
Knox church to give his impressions of the work up 
to 9th September, 1873 : 

" For some time before the meeting commenced, 
the church was densely crowded in every part, in- 



24 INQ UIE Y-MEETINGS. 

eluding aisles, stairs, and side rooms, with persons of 
all sects, from town and country, while many were 
obliged to go away who could not obtain admittance. 
I have not witnessed such proofs of the Holy Spirit's 
saving power for several years. Mr. Sankey was at 
JSTorth Shields, where an interest in spiritual things 
has been awakened in the hearts of many, Mr. 
Moody preached. The pure, full-orbed truths of God's 
Word came in close and certain succession from his 
lips, and fell with telling power on the hearts of the 
throng. The impression produced was too deep and 
true to show itself in violent ebullitions of feeling. 
The dense mass seemed at every point the subject of 
intense solemnity and awe. 

" A large mass of people waited for the second 
meeting, and seemed quite unwilling to go away. 
Many convicted ones were prevailed on afterwards 
to retire to the vestry, where Christian friends were 
in readiness to point them to the Lamb of God who 
taketh away the- sin of the world; others received 
instruction in the pews of the church. All that 
were addressed personally retired, so far as I could 
see, rejoicing in God their Saviour. 

" This town has not been blessed in the same man- 



"BY ANY MEANS." 25 

ner since I knew it, and for many years before that, 
according to the testimony of older inhabitants who 
are quite competent to judge. What amount of 
fruit will remain we must wait to see, but for present 
things God's people have very abundant reason to 
thank God and to take courage." 

Special addresses to Christians, a sermon in the 
" Friends' meeting-house," at the request of members 
who had been deeply impressed ; meetings at Gates- 
head for those whose salvation was a matter of deep 
concern to their relatives; addresses to the factory 
workmen in the Tyne Theatre at their own request, 
formed some of the means employed in this great 
northern center, and on which the Divine blessing 
richly rested. 

As many as thirty-four meetings were arranged 
for one week, and the interest in the noon-prayer 
meeting was unprecedented. 

Let the following incident, reported by Mr. Henry 
Moorhouse, illustrate the feeling among the poor and 
needy : 

A gentleman passing down a street in Gateshead 
heard some one knocking at the window of a cottage. 
He stopped and a respectable woman came to the 
2 



26 HOPING GREAT THINGS. 

door, and said : " Come in ! " He said he could not 
then, as he was going to a meeting. 

" Oh, sir, for God's sake come in, and tell me 
something about Jesus, for I am wretched." 

" What is the matter ? " said my friend. 

She said, " I am lost ; oh tell me what I must do 
to be saved. I have been standing at my window all 
the day to see if a Christian would come along, and 
if it had only been a beggar who loved the Saviour, 
I would have called him in.'' 

She had been at a meeting a week before, and had 
been in a miserable state -ever since. A Christian 
lady called to see her and told her about the love of 
Jesus. She trusted, and was saved. "I saw her to-day," 
said the speaker, " as happy and bright as possible." 

At so early a date as October, 1873, Mr. Moody 
had faith enough to lead him to say to the daily 
prayer-meeting, at which nearly nine hundred Chris- 
tians of all ranks were present, that they were on the 
eve of a great work, which might cover Britain, and 
make itself felt in America. God would bless them, 
were they willing to let His Spirit work through them, 
and to place their influence wholly at His disposal. 
The daily prayer-meeting must be maintained 



DAILY PRAYER-MEETING. 27 

and cherished if directly evangelistic efforts are to 
be wisely conducted, and be accompanied with a 
stream of true life. To his own soul the daily 
prayer-meetings in America had been a source of 
unspeakable blessing — nay, had done more to re- 
fresh and fit him for evangelistic enterprise than all 
other means of grace put together. The prayer- 
meetings in his own city had kept his soul on edge 
from the date of its commencement, fifteen years ago, 
to the present time. " Why," said our friend, " may 
the fire not burn as long as I live ? When this re- 
vival spirit dies, may I die with it ! " 

The extent of this work around Newcastle is thus 
described by the Rev. Mr. Skerry, minister of one of 
the Baptist churches, already mentioned. 

" Thus it will be seen that, from the common cen- 
ter of Newcastle, which may almost be regarded as 
the base of Messrs. Moody and Sankey's spiritual 
operations, there has spread throughout the neighbor- 
ing towns and villages this powerful spirit of earnest- 
ness, and longing for the glory of God to be seen in 
the quickening of Christian people and the salvation 
of sinners — a spirit which we trust will grow to more 
and more fully developed dimensions, until the whole 



28 PREVAILING PRA YER. 

of Tyneside, with its vast industry, and the whole of 
the north of England, with its sin and suffering, and 
with its deep and widespread need, shall have come 
beneath the reviving touch of the Spirit of God. 

" Truly God has been good unto Israel, and we 
render to Him all praise and thanksgiving for sending 
to us, by the hands of our honored American breth- 
ren, this blessing from on high. For these brethren 
and their work we also pray most heartily. Wher- 
ever their feet may turn, we beseech the God of grace 
to go before them, and prepare their way, inclining the 
hearts of Christian workers to sympathize with and 
help them with their self-imposed and arduous though 
glorious task, so that in many a town and district the 
work of the Lord may prosper abundantly, and many 
preciajis souls may be won for the dear Lord and 
Master." 

In the might of such blessing as these prayers bring 
down, the brethren proceeded, after two months of 
earnest and fruitful work, on which they had entered 
with little introduction, to other fields, such as Bishop 
Auckland. 

There all the non-conformist ministers and their 
people had devoted a week to prayer for the blessing 



STOCKTON-ON-TEES. 29 

of God, on their visit. The Rev. Thomas Boyd, 
Presbyterian minister of the place, after describing 
the meetings in the Wesleyan Chapel, says, after the 
evangelists had gone : 

u Such has been the number of cases, and such many 
of the parties, that had it been told to any Christian 
friend a fortnight ago, he would not have believed it. 
Even with all this before us, so wonderful is it, that 
we almost feel as if we dreamt. God's Spirit still 
works powerfully. Every night souls are aroused, and, 
under the guidance of Christian friends, led to Jesus." 

At Stockton-on-Tees, in which the early part of 
November was spent, the result is thus described by 
an intelligent observer on the spot ; and once for all 
we call attention to the union of prayer and Catholic 
feeling before and in the work : 

" This work has been very great ; and in examin- 
ing, for our own future guidance and the guidance of 
others, into the apparent causes of success, we are 
struck with the following : First, the preparation of 
united, believing prayer. Mr. Moody said, that on 
coming into the first meeting, he and Mr. Sankey 
felt that they were amongst a praying people ; and to 
this and the next cause, viz. : the united action of the 



30 QUIETNESS AND CONFIDENCE. 

ministers of the tcnvn, he mainly attributed the fact, that 
in no place which they had visited had they witnessed 
such evident results in so short a time. It was very 
delightful to see, at each of the services, eight or ten 
of these devoted pastors, most of them in the vigor 
of young manhood, strong-souled, intelligent men, 
representing various shades of denominational belief, 
but merging all differences in mutual affection, and 
the common desire to aid in the glorious work ; and 
many hearts were constrained by the sight to give 
thanks for such a ministry in Stockton. Another 
very important feature was the absence of noise in 
the meetings. The experience of the past few days 
will, we think, have convinced them that the best and 
most successful prayer-meetings ever held in Stockton 
have been the quietest, reminding us of the old lady's 
description, ' God Almighty was so near that nobody 
had to shout to Him.' " 

The Convention, in some degree an American in- 
stitution, has been introduced into Great Britain, the 
first of any moment in connection with this move- 
ment having been held at Newcastle-on-Tyne, .on 
Wednesday, November 12th, 1873. The topics dis- 
cussed were of immediate interest, such as : 



EFFECTIVE MEETINGS. 31 

How to reach the Masses, How to Conduct Prayer- 
meetings, How to Conduct After-meetings, How to 
Secure the Young for Christ, What are the Hin- 
derances to the Lord's Work ? 

Fifteen minutes were allowed for the introducer of 
each subject, and to other speakers five minutes each, 
Mr. Moody keeping time by means of a small table- 
bell. 

On prayer-meetings the Rev. Mr. Haigh said : 
" Special objects should be stated, with appropriate 
Scripture promises, and special requests ought to be 
sent in to the president. On Sunday evenings the one 
subject ought to be the salvation of souls. Prayer 
should generally be short. A woman once said to a 
man who was circumlocuting in prayer, 'Ax Him 
summat, man ! ' The best means of putting down a 
man who prays too long is to speak to him privately. 
In all meetings there ought to be moments of silent 
prayer. Singing in a meeting ought to be subordi- 
nate to prayer, and partake of a petitionary character. 
Mr. Spurgeon had said, ' The prayer-meeting stood 
in the same relation to the church as the engine did 
to the factory. If it decline, all our efforts will be 
abortive. 5 " 



32 IMPRESSION MADE. 

Mr. Moody gave a few words of advice. Get the 
people close together. Bury all stiffness. "When the 
leader comes in with formal dignity, and is very stiff, 
no one can pray. There should be good ventilation. 
A change is good ; a word of talk is good. 

The Rev. "W. R. Skerry recommended young peo- 
ple's prayer-meetings, and in reference to prayers of 
excessive length, said : " As regards long prayers, a 
man once said to a person who prayed very long — 
and it is sometimes true — ' Brother, if you prayed 
more at home, you would have less to say when you 
come here.' " 

Nowhere in England can there be found a more 
practical, stolid, and unromantic people than the men 
of Northumberland and Yorkshire. The judgment 
they formed of the leader at these meetings is con- 
cisely put : 

"Mr. Moody's tact in conducting is marvelous. 
Common sense stamps all his earnestness and all his 
plans, and this wins in a remarkable manner the con- 
fidence of all who come in contact with him. What- 
ever else may be said of him, no one can call him a 
fanatic ; and this gives to his steady, invincible, un- 
tiring self-sacrifice such irresistible power. By bod- 



m CARLISLE 



ily vigor, and mental and spiritual endowments, he 
seems to be peculiarly a vessel unto honor meet for 
the Master's use." 

The border-town of Carlisle is next approached. 
The evangelists are nearing Scotland. The place 
where, in former days, Englishman and Scotsman 
used to meet in desperate feud, becomes the scene of 
victories of another kind. The truth is the weapon, 
and the Victor is Jesus Christ. This none would 
more readily own than the instruments He employed. 

Carlisle was reached on Saturday, 15th November 
(1873), and the following week spent there. All 
denominations were represented by their ministers. 
Let a local laborer report the result, as he follows the 
American brethren, with a prayer, to Edinburgh: 

" This is the Lord's doing : it is marvelous in our 
eyes. As in other places, the meetings have been 
crowded to excess ; the United Presbyterian Church, 
of which Mr. Christie is the pastor, proved altogether 
inadequate to accommodate the throngs, and the 
large Wesleyan Chapel close at hand was also thrown 
open, both buildings being completely filled. The 
power of God was present in a most marked degree ; 
the solemn and magnificent songs, seeming now to 



2* 



34 NORTHWARD. 



bring Jesus of Nazareth right down into the streets 
of our own city, or, again, to take us right up to the 
gates of heaven, prepared the way for the word of 
life from the lips of Mr. Moody ; that word was with 
power, and many were the anxious souls pressing 
forward to know the way of life. Jesus has become 
precious to many; souls have been born of God, and 
tears of contrition have given place to tears of joy. 

" This much as to the blessing bestowed on the un- 
converted ; but what shall be said as to that which has 
rested upon the Christians? It has been a time of 
drawing together such as we have not known any- 
thing of before. Ministers of the different denom- 
inations have thrown themselves heart and soul into 
the work, and the close of the week finds us recog- 
nizing, not in theory but in fact, that we are all one 
in Christ Jesus, and banded together, that by our 
union in Him we may honor His blessed name." 

So the American strangers had their way opened 
up in England, and the report under God prepared 
the people of Scotland to hope and expect great 
things. 



CHAPTER III. 

EDINBURGH. 

The Kev. John Kelman, of Free St. John's 
Church, Leith, was induced to visit Newcastle, and 
became so convinced of the reality and extent of the 
work of grace there, that, on his return home, he 
largely spread the good tidings among his brethren 
in the ministry, and devoted Christian laymen. An 
earnest invitation was given to Messrs. Moody and 
Sankey to visit Edinburgh and Leith, which was ac- 
cepted. 

This led to the proposal of a conference of those 
gentlemen interested in the anticipated visit of the 
American brethren to Edinburgh. A meeting was 
accordingly held in the Craigie Hall, at which a 
number of leading ministers and Christian laymen 
assembled, and gave decided and full expression of 
their opinion of the great importance of the proposed 
services ; and thus practically gave a cordial and ear- 
nest anticipatory welcome to the American brethren. 

Following up the proceedings of this conference, 
10* 



36 IN EDINBURGH. 



a prayer meeting was held in the Craigie Hall every 
Monday, and, as the time approached for the 
expected visit, it was transferred to the Upper 
Queen Street Hall, and held daily at 3 p. m. These 
meetings w T ere characterized by the remarkable fervor, 
unction, afid faith of the supplications poured forth 
from hearts intensely earnest for the bestowal of the 
blessing desired. The brief hour of each meeting was 
felt to be a hallowed season, and from what was ex- 
perienced at these meetings, a strong impression was 
formed that a great blessing was about to descend 
upon Edinburgh. 

On Saturday, the 22d of November, 1873, Messrs. 
Moody and Sankey arrived in Edinburgh. On the 
evening of the following day (Sabbath), a meeting 
was held in the Music Hall for the purpose of hear- 
ing Mr. Moody preach, and Mr. Sankey sing, the 
gospel. The large hall, capable of holding over two 
thousand persons, was densely crowded, and thousands 
could not gain admission. Yarious city ministers and 
laymen took part in the exercises through which 
were interspersed Mr. Sankey's sacred songs, con- 
ducting the entire services of the meeting with much 
unction and power. This introductory meeting con 



CORDIAL CO-OPERATION. 37 

eluded the evening services, there being no after 
meeting for inquirers held on this occasion. Mr. 
Moody was hoarse and sick; but the meeting was 
w^ell sustained by ministers and laymen, and by 
Mr. Sankey's singing. 

Next day, the daily prayer-meeting was transferred 
from the Upper Queen Street Hall to the Lower, which 
is capable of containing about twelve hundred people, 
and the hour was changed to twelve o'clock, noon. 
Messrs. Moody and Sankey were accompanied to the 
platform by the leading ministers and laymen, several 
of whom aided in conducting the services. This was 
the commencement of the noon-day prayer meeting, 
which, as will be shown in the sequel, has assumed 
such large proportions, and which has been so fraught 
with richest blessing. 

In the evening, meetings were commenced in the 
Barclay Church (Rev. Mr. "Wilson's) at seven o'clock, 
by Messrs. Moody and Sankey. The latter accompa- 
nied his sacred gospel songs with the American organ, 
which in no respect prevented the distinct hearing 
of the gospel message, so strikingly communicated 
with clear and perfect articulation, to the thousand 
listening ears. 



38 MEN A WAKENED. 

At the conclusion of the first meeting, a second 
was held for special prayer, and a large congregation 
remained in their seats. During this time and after- 
wards, anxious inquirers, of whom there were many, 
were dealt with in the several halls of the church by 
Mr. Moody, the minister of the church, and by other 
ministers and qualified persons. 

During the currency of the week, the work greatly 
deepened and extended. On the following Sabbath 
evening three meetings were held, the first in the 
Barclay Church, the second in Yiewforth Church, and 
the third in Fountainbridge Church. Every part of 
these churches was crowded long before the time 
fixed for the meetings, and thousands could not 
gain admittance. At all the meetings many were 
awakened, and in the next day's noon prayer-meet- 
ing, prayer was asked for several special cases ; two, 
for instance, who had been awakened in the regular 
forenoon's service in the Barclay Church, and 
another who had been awakened in the Fountain- 
bridge Church evening meeting. Thanksgiving was 
also requested to be given for those who had found 
the Saviour. 

During the progress of the week's meetings, the 



POWER OF THE WORD. 39 

ministers and others engaged in the work were, 
through astonishment and joy, as men that dreamed. 
Many avowed their joy at the inquiry meetings ; 
others felt it without any open declaration. An 
elder, for example, met a man and his wife who had 
never been at the inquiry meetings returning to their 
home with their countenances radiant with gladness. 

The impression made on the Christian mind of 
Edinburgh is thus stated by the Rev. John Kelman, 
after three weeks' labor in the city : 

" The part of the service toward which all the 
others tend, and in which the power culminates, is 
the address by Mr. Moody, in which, in simple, vig- 
orous, and telling language, he holds up before men 
the truth as it is in Jesus, and makes most earnest 
and powerful appeals to heart and conscience. Mr. 
Moody is strikingly free from all pretense and parade; 
he speaks as one who thoroughly believes what he 
says, and who is in downright earnest in delivering 
his message. His descriptions are characterized by 
remarkable vividness and graphic power. He has a 
great wealth of illustration, and his illustrations are 
always apposite, bring out into the clearest light the 
point which he intends to illustrate, and fix it for- 



40 SOLEMNITY OF FEELING. 

ever in the memories of many. There is very little 
excitement. There is no extravagance. But the 
effect of the services is seen in the manifest impres- 
sion produced on the audience generally, in the 
anxious inquirers (varying in number from about 
forty to upwards of seventy, as on Friday last), who 
remain behind for spiritual conversation and prayer 
after every meeting, and also in the hundreds of per- 
sons, in all grades of the social scale, scattered through 
Edinburgh and neighborhood, who are more or less 
awakened to realize the importance of eternal things, 
are burdened with a sense of sin, and longing to ob- 
tain salvation. Not a few also profess to have been 
brought out of darkness into marvelous light, to have 
been made partakers of a new life of faith in Jesus 
Christ, and to be going on their way rejoicing." 

The daily prayer-meeting having been a remark- 
able feature of the work in Edinburgh, it may be 
proper to notice its history and character : 

" On the day on which the first meeting was held, more 
than five hundred persons were present. The attend- 
ance steadily increased, till there was some difficulty as 
to fixing on a suitable place. The Rev. A. Whyte, 
of Free St. George's, being applied to, kindly offered 



" GO ME AND SEE.'' 41 

his church for the prayer-meeting. Ultimately, on ac- 
count of its central situation, it was resolved to hold the 
meeting in the Free Assembly Hall. The attendance 
there was usually upwards of a thousand daily. 

" The first half of the hour is employed with sing- 
ing part of a psalm or hymn, reading (in a summa- 
rized form) the requests for prayer, prayer, and a few 
remarks by Mr. Moody on some passage of Scripture. 
During the second half, the meeting is open, any per- 
son present being at liberty to engage in prayer, read 
a short passage of Scripture, make a statement about 
the work of God, or request the singing of any par- 
ticular psalm or hymn. This meeting is felt to be of 
the most delightful and refreshing character; and 
when one o'clock strikes, every person is surprised, 
and can scarcely believe that the hour is ended. 

" Christians, who had looked on with a desire to see 
what would come of the movement, found their diffi- 
culties melting away by contact with the work, and 
cordially identified themselves with it. Denomina- 
tional differences were lost sight of, and oneness in 
Christ was realized and rejoiced in." Even then, Mr. 
Kelman, in the faith that expects an answer, and of 
which we had an example in Mr. Moody's address in 



42 « TEACH THE PEOPLE." 

Newcastle, could write — " It seems as if a winter of 
wonderful blessing were lying before Edinburgh and 
Leith." 

It is not needful to say that Scottish Christians 
attach little weight to mere feeling without intelli- 
gence, and in this they were in hearty sympathy with 
the evangelists, by whom instruction was considered 
a main and all-important branch of their work. There 
was no public meeting on the Monday evening fol- 
lowing the close of the first week's services in the 
Barclay Church ; but, instead of this, a meeting for 
the converts who had, during the previous week, pro- 
fessed to have closed with Christ, and those who were 
anxious, was held on that evening in the Free Assem- 
bly Hall. The Monday evenings thereafter were al- 
ways devoted to such meetings. 

Some apprehension was felt as to the hymns and 
instrument of Mr. Sankey producing an unfavorable 
impression. The Eev. Dr. Thomson published his 
views after a week's labor in his church, the Broughton 
Place United Presbyterian. 

" The service of song conducted by Mr. Sankey, 
in which music is used as the handmaid of a gospel 
ministry, has already been described in your columns. 



REV. DR. THOMSON. 



I have never found it objected to, except by those 
who have not witnessed it. Those who have come 
and heard, have departed with their prejudices van- 
quished, and their hearts impressed. We might 
quote in commendation of this somewhat novel man- 
ner of preaching the gospel, the words of good George 
Herbert : 

'A verse may win him who the gospel flies, 
And turn delight into a sacrifice/ ' 

" There is nothing of novelty in the doctrine which 
Mr. Moody proclaims. It is the old gospel — old, yet 
always fresh and young too, as the living fountain or 
the morning sun — in which the substitution of Christ 
is placed in the center, and presented with admirable 
distinctness and decision. It is spoken with most 
impressive directness, not as by a man half convinced, 
and who seems always to feel that a skeptic is looking 
over his shoulder, but with a deep conviction of the 
truth of what he says, as if, like our own Andrew 
Fuller, he could * venture his eternity on it,' and with 
a tremendous earnestness, as if he felt that ' if he did 
not speak, the very stones would cry out.' The 
illustrations and anecdotes, drawn principally from his 
strangely-varied life, are so wisely chosen, so graphi- 



44 OUT OF AN IGE HOUSE. 

eally told, and so well applied, as never to fail in hit- 
ting the mark. 35 

There was the greatest variety among the inquirers. 
There were present from the old man of seventy-five 
to the youth of eleven, soldiers from the Castle, stu- 
dents from the University, the backsliding, the intem- 
perate, the skeptical, the rich and the poor, the 
educated and the uneducated. 

" There was," adds Dr. Thomson, " a considerable 
number of skeptics among the inquirers, but their 
speculative doubts and difficulties very soon became 
of no account, when they came to have a proper view 
of their sins. Some have already come to tell me of 
their renunciation of unbelief, and their discipleship 
to Christ. One has publicly announced that he can 
no longer live in the ice-house of cold negations, and 
has asked Mr. Moody to publish the address which 
brought light to his heart, and to circulate it far and 
wide over the land." 

The movement in the capital of Scotland had 
now assumed the most impressive proportions. The 
people crowded to meetings in such numbers that 
admission had occasionally to be secured by ticket. 
The " working-classes " crowded the churches, and 



AN ALL-DA Y MEETING. 45 

young men alone sometimes filled the Free As- 
sembly Hall. Christian young men eager to receive 
direction in Christian work, children to be simply 
spoken to of the way of life, and eager and interested 
general audiences proved how thorough a hold divine 
truth had acquired over the feelings and consciences 
of the people. 

With the view of extending the movement, an all- 
day meeting was arranged for the 17th December 
(1873), at which special subjects were assigned for 
different hours, the discussion of which was intro- 
duced in an address of about a quarter of an hour; 
full liberty being given to any one in the audience to 
express his thoughts. Prayers were also offered by 
various brethren, and Mr. Sankey led the service of 
praise. Mr. Moody presided. 

" We are struck," says the Rev. Mr. Taylor, " with 
the solemn stillness. One of the Edinburgh ministers 
is closing some remarks on the subject of praise, and 
is followed by Mr. Moody. We listen to a rapid 
speaker, with a marked American intonation ; it re- 
quires a moment or two to habituate our ear to his 
utterance; but that attained, we forget all peculiari- 
ties, in the clearness, earnestness, directness, and tell- 



46 AT LEAST PRAISEs 

ing character of his statements. 'Get full of the 
word of God ' is the conclusion of what he says, ' and 
you can't help praising Him.' He tells of a young 
pastor, newly placed over a church, who, finding his 
prayer-meetings ill-attended and lifeless, surprised his 
people one Sabbath, by announcing that there would 
be no prayer-meeting that week, but a meeting for 
praise. Curiosity brought out a large gathering of 
his church ; he told them that as they were so reluc- 
tant to pray, he wished every one now to look back 
on his past life, and see if he did not remember some- 
thing to thank God for, and just to rise up and thank 
God for it. The result was, that one after another 
rose up, thanking God for this and that mercy, till 
the hour was over before they were aware, and they 
went away declaring it to be the best meeting they 
had ever had ; and not only so, but this proved to be 
the beginning of a revival among them. Then fol- 
lowed Mr. Moody's coadjutor, Mr. Sankey. 

"After a few words of exhortation not to abuse 
praise in our churches, by employing it merely to fill 
up time, but to utter real praise, Mr. Sankey explained 
briefly the principle of his singing, as intended to be 
a real S teaching.' And as he proceeded to sing, we 



REV. DR. BLAIEIE. 47 

felt that it was real teaching. Not merely was there 
his wonderful voice, which made every word dis- 
tinctly heard in the remotest corner of the hall, and 
to which the organ accompaniment was felt to be 
merely subsidiary, but it was the scriptural thought 
borne into the mind upon the wave of song, and kept 
there until we were obliged to look at it, and feel it 
in its importance and its preciousness." 

A month's labors in the city had inspired con- 
fidence, overcome any prejudice that existed against 
any part of the evangelists' methods, the hymns in 
which — and with an instrument, too — less familiar 
to Scottish than to Am'erican ears — might especially 
have been expected to provoke criticism. The num- 
ber of meetings was increased. We find such men 
as the Rev. Dr. Blaikie, of the Free Church College 
(remembered by his visit as a Delegate to America a 
few years ago), bearing public testimony to the 
general movement, and to particular parts of it. 

" Among the most direct and touching fruits," 
says Dr. Blaikie, " of saving impressions in the case 
of any one, affectionate interest in the welfare of other 
members of the family is one of the surest and most 
uniform. A working man of fifty years of age, for 



48 GREAT JOY. 



example, is impressed and brought to peace in believ- 
ing, and immediately lie comes to the minister and 
cries out, with streaming eyes, ' Oh ! pray for my 
two sons ! ' A father and his son are seen at another 
meeting with arms round each other's necks. In 
many cases the work of conversion seems to go 
through whole families. That peculiar joyfulness 
and expectation which marks young converts, is often 
the means of leading others to the fountain, and two, 
three, four, and even more members of the same 
family share the blessing. There have been some 
very remarkable conversions of skeptics. Dr. Andrew 
Thomson told of one who, having been awakened on 
the previous week, had gone for the first time to 
church on the previous Sunday. He had hardly been 
in a place of worship for years, and a week before he 
would have scouted the idea. He was so happy in 
the morning that he returned in the afternoon. The 
blessing seemed to come down upon him. We have 
heard of the case of another skeptic who had carried 
his unbelief to the verge of blasphemy, and who has 
now come to the foot of the Cross." 

In St. Stephen's congregation the Rev. Dr. Nichol- 
son presided ; and every evening there were around 



CALLS FROM THE COUNTRY. 49 

the pulpit ministers of all denominations, from all 
parts of the country, while among the audience there 
were members of the nobility, professors from the 
university, and distinguished lawyers from the Par- 
liament House. Many came to criticise and seek 
grounds for opposition, who went away to approve 
and pray. 

An Edinburgh newspaper {The Daily Review), 
representing the general religious feeling of the city, 
thus describes the condition of things: 

" There is a general feeling, and it has prevailed 
for some time, that we need, and that we may expect, 
a blessing of unusual magnitude. Never, probably, 
was Scotland so stirred ; never was there so much 
expectation. May it be graciously granted that the 
blessing shall be even above all that we can ask or 
think ! 

" Requests for the services of Messrs. Moody and 
Sankey are pouring in from all quarters. Requisi- 
tions, signed not only by ministers, but by provosts, 
councilors, and leading citizens, are received daily 
from towns, large and small. The anxiety for a visit 
seems to be of a remarkably serious and earnest kind. 
It is not to gratify curiosity, but to promote spiritual 



50 LIGHTS IN THE WOULD. 

and eternal good, that their presence is sought. Even 
remote rural parishes in Scotland are meeting to pray 
for a blessing on their labors, and the belief prevails 
that what is now going on in Edinburgh will radiate 
over the country." 

The work now began to extend ; Leith was visited. 
Seafaring men were reached, and in lonely ships at 
sea, the good influence was extended. 

On Sabbath, 21st December, at 9 a. m., Mr. Moody 
addressed a meeting of Sabbath-school and Bible- 
class teachers in the Free Assembly Hall. Having 
read five or six portions of Scripture, to show that 
when Christ was on earth He was the light of the 
world, and when He went, He left His followers to 
reflect that light, he spoke at length of the duty of 
Christians to do this, the eyes of the world being 
upon them. He then passed on to press the impor- 
tance of parents and teachers early putting the ques- 
tion to their children, "Are you a Christian?" and 
seeking not only to point out to them the way to the 
Saviour, but to take them by the hand and lead them 
to Him. He showed that the work of Sunday-school 
teachers among children would be most blessed, if 
the teachers first sought to gain their confidence, and 



THE STUDENTS. 51 



convince them it was not merely from a sense of duty 
but from love to them, that they sought to win them 
to Christ. 

Edinburgh always contains a great body of stu- 
dents, and a meeting for them was held in the Free 
Assembly Hall. So great was the eagerness to ob- 
tain admittance, that the doors were besieged by an 
immense crowd, even after it had become apparent 
that the hall was already filled. To mitigate the dis- 
appointment of those who found it impossible to get 
into the hall, Mr. Moody, before he addressed the 
meeting inside, went out and spoke for some time to 
the immense gathering in the quadrangle. While 
he was engaged, Dr. Rainy, Mr. "Whyte, the succes- 
sor of Dr. Candlish, Professor . Charteris, and Mr. 
Sankey conducted service inside. Around the plat- 
form there were professors from nearly all the facul- 
ties in the University, and from the Free Church 
and College, and nearly two thousand students. 

Meantime numerous requests had been received 
from all parts of the country for visits. From Ber- 
wick-on-Tweed, the Rev. Dr. Cairns appeared as a 
deputation. Mr. Moody suggested that deputations 
should be sent out from Edinburgh to visit the vari- 



52 DR. CHARLES BROWN. 

cms towns from which the applications had come, and 
assist in conducting religions meetings. Several 
ministers and laymen stated their readiness to go. 
Dr. Cairns took part in the exercises of the meet- 
ing. 

We cannot better close this chapter than with the 
words of Dr. Charles Brown, one of the oldest and 
most highly respected ministers in Edinburgh. " I 
have watched," said he, " all the religious movements 
of the last forty years, and I have never seen any- 
thing that, in extent and depth of interest, approach- 
ed to the present movement. I have often prayed 
for such a blessing, and always longed for it ; and 
though my prayer had remained unanswered for 
many years, I am so enriched with gladness at the 
sights around me, that I could say with Simeon, ' Now, 
Lord, lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, accord- 
ing to Thy word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salva- 
tion, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all 
people. 5 " 

The Grassmarket, a spacious square in the center of 
the old town of Edinburgh, was the scene in by-gone 
days of those martyr executions which stained the 
reigns of Charles the Second and James the Second 



THE GRAS8MARKET. 



of England. On the south side of this square is the 
Corn Exchange, an immense building, capable of 
holding six thousand persons. In this place a meet- 
ing was held on Sabbath evening, the 28th Decem- 
ber, for men only, admission by ticket. The immense 
hall was filled with above five thousand men. Mr. 
Moody put it to them if they would like to have 
another meeting of the same kind, in the same place, 
next evening. Nearly all hands were raised. Mean- 
time, in the Free Assembly Hal], the general audience 
had been dismissed, and the inquiry meeting was 
going on in the center of the hall, when the door- 
keeper came up to Dr. Bonar, who was engaged, 
along with others, in dealing with the inquirers, and 
said that Mr. Moody had brought up the whole Grass- 
market with him. 

The intelligence was embarrassing, for there were 
too few to deal with the inquirers already in the hall. 
It was arranged, however, that these inquirers, with 
the friends dealing with them, should remove to the 
galleries, and leave the body of the hall for the 
" Grassmarket." This was done, and in streamed 
hundreds of men — many of them young men — it was 
believed to the number of six or seven hundred. 



54: WOMEN'S MEETING. 

These could not be conversed with separately, and Mr. 
Moody accordingly addressed them ; asked those who 
were anxious to find Christ to stand up, when a great 
body of them stood up. He then desired those of 
them who wished to give themselves to Christ to 
kneel down, when they all, and every one else in 
every part of the hall, knelt down. Over these 
bended, and, may it not be added, broken-hearted 
suppliants, Mr. Wilson of the Barclay Church, and 
afterwards Mr. Moody, prayed, or rather led their 
prayer in giving themselves to Christ. This must 
have been a sight for angels to rejoice in. 

These men would have remained till midnight, but 
it was deemed expedient to dismiss them at half-past 
ten o'clock. So the work went on — on Monday 
evening another meeting in the Corn Exchange, at- 
tended by three thousand persons of the poorer classes ; 
on Sabbath evening another immense meeting in the 
Corn Exchange, and a service in the Free Assembly 
Hall for women only, admission by ticket, in report- 
ing which next day at the noon. hour of prayer, Dr. 
Bonar said, " that in all his life he never preached to 
such an audience." 

During the last week of December a call to prayer 



CALL TO PRAYER. 55 

was sent to every minister in Scotland, suggesting the 
week of prayer from 4th to 11th January as a favor- 
able opportunity for combined action. This call bore 
the following, among other honored names : 

J. H. Balfour, Professor of Botany ; W. G. Blaikie, 
D.D., Professor, New College; Horatius Bonar, D.D., 
Chalmers Memorial Church ; Chas. J. Brown, D.D., 
Free New North Church ; H. Calderwood, Professor 
of Moral Philosophy ; A. H. Charteris, D.D., Pro- 
fessor of Biblical Literature ; Thos. J. Crawford, 
D.D., Professor of Divinity in the University of 
Edinburgh; Alexander Duff, D,D. ; William Grant, 
Bristo Place Baptist Chapel ; William Hanna, D.D., 
Eobert M c Donald, D.D.; Hamilton M. MacGill, D.D., 
Secretary of Mission Board, United Presbyterian 
Church; James MacGregor, D.D., Professor, New 
College ; W. Scott Moncrieff, St. Thomas' Episcopal 
Church ; Robert Rainy, D.D., Professor, New College ; 
Wm. Reid, United Presbyterian Church, Lothian 
Road ; A. Moody Stuart, Free St. Luke's ; Andrew 
Thomson, D.D., Broughton Place United Presby- 
terian Church. 

Such were the men who declared that " God's 
power was wonderfully at work," and who urged 



56 " WA TCHN1GHT SEE VICE. » 

dependence not on any human agency, but on God, 
and earnest crying over all Scotland for His blessing. 

The last night of the year was observed by special 
service in the Free Assembly Hall. Mr. Moody an- 
nounced that "anything that is worship will be in 
order, and when I am speaking, if any one has an illus- 
tration to give, or would like to sing a hymn or offer 
prayer, let him do so." This gave constant variety 
to the meeting, so that the interest never flagged, and 
every one who stole a glance at the clock wondered to 
see how time passed. Prayer was offered at intervals. 
Mr. Moody surpassed himself in marvelous fluency 
and fertility of discourse, as he reviewed the, seven 
"I wills" of Christ. Soon after eleven the Bible 
study ceased, and the remainder of the year was given 
to prayer. 

The intense interest and solemnity of the meeting 
increased as midnight neared. Five minutes before 
twelve all sound was hushed. The distant shouts of 
the revelers outside could be heard. Kneeling, or 
with bowed heads, the whole great meeting, with one 
accord, prayed in silence, and while they did so the 
city clocks successively struck the hour. The hushed 
silence continued five minutes more. Mr. Moody 



DR. HORATIUS BO NAB. 57 

then gave out the last two verses of the hymn, 
" Jesus, Lover of my Soul," and all stood and sang, 
" Thou, O Christ, art all I want, more than all in Thee 
I find," etc. After a brief prayer the benediction 
was pronounced, and all began, like one family, to 
wish each other a Happy JSTew Year — "a year of 
grace, a year of usefulness." There probably never 
was a New Tear brought in in Edinburgh with more 
solemn gladness and hope of spiritual good. 

The question, " "What is the meaning of all this ?" 
was now being asked over Scotland. Dr. IToratius Bon- 
ar replied in a letter, of which we give the concluding 
portion, his name being a guarantee for a clear spir- 
itual estimate of the movement : 

" I must say that I have not seen nor heard any 
impropriety nor extravagance. I have heard sound 
doctrine, sober, though sometimes fervent and tearful 
speech, the utterance of full hearts yearning over the 
wretched, and beseeching men to be reconciled to 
God. That I should accord with every statement 
and fall entirely in with every part of their proceed- 
ing, need not be expected. Yet I will say that I 
have not witnessed anything sensational or repulsive. 
During the spiritual movement which took place in 



58 STRANGE STILLNESS. 

Scotland about thirty -years ago, in most of which I 
had part, I saw more of what was extreme, both in 
statement and proceeding than I have done of late. 
There was far more of excitement then than there is 
now. The former movements depended far more 
upon vehement appeals, and were carried along more 
by the sympathetic current of human feeling than the 
present. When the present movement began, I 
feared lest there should be a repetition of some of the 
scenes which I had witnessed in other days, and I 
did not hesitate to express my fear to brethren. My 
fears have not been realized. I have been as regular 
in my attendance at the meetings as I could, and 
though I will not say that there was nothing which I 
might not have wished different, yet I have been 
struck with the exceeding calmness at all times — the 
absence of excitement — the peaceful solemnity per- 
vading these immense gatherings of two or three 
thousand people, day by day — the strange stillness 
that at times so overawed us ; and I felt greatly re- 
lieved at the absence of those audible manifestations 
of feeling common in former days. Rowland Hill 
was once asked the question, ' When do you intend to 
stop ? ' ' ISTot till we have carried all before us.' So 



LATENT ENERGIES. 59 

say our brethren from Chicago. "We say Amen. 
This needy world says Amen. Human wickedness 
and evil say Amen. Heaven and earth say Amen. 
The wwk is great and the time is short. But the 
strength is not of man but of God/ 5 

The " Week of Prayer " had been emphasized by 
the call to Scotland, and at the meeting on Friday, 
2d January, the Assembly Hall was filled to over- 
flowing — passages, doorways, and platform all crowd- 
ed. The feature of the meeting was a series of di- 
rections for conducting prayer-meetings given by Mr. 
Moody. He began by saying that there was proba- 
bly more talent in Scotland than in any other place 
of the same size, but it was in a great measure buried 
talent. He did not refer to the ministers so much as 
to the people, who did not draw out their talents for 
the good of the Church. This was an important 
matter. If he drew out the energies of ten men, and 
got them to work, it was much better than doing ten 
men's work himself. Hence the importance of some 
of the rules he was about to give them. Such as 
that the people must sit close together, for if scat- 
tered, the meeting would be cold and disjointed. 
The hall or room must be well ventilated, heated, 



60 THE PRAYER-MEETING. 

and lighted ; they should have good singing ; when 
a meeting was special, the prayers and remarks 
ought to be special ; requests and thanksgivings 
should be brought before the meeting; the leader 
must take no further part in the meeting than to give 
the key-note ; the subject should be known before- 
hand, that the people's thoughts may be directed 
to it ; not to scold the people who had come because 
others had kept away ; if discouraged not to let the 
people see it ;. variety should be given to the meet- 
ings ; no formal address ; the meetings short and the 
people sent away hungry, but not weary, else they 
would not come back ; they should avoid discussions, 
and put down discussion among the audience; leave 
the meeting open a part of the time, and be invari- 
ably punctual. Under such sensible regulations the 
meetings proceeded with the deepest interest, and 
crowds so great that on at least one occasion the 
prayer-meeting overflowed into the corners of the 
quadrangle of the Free Church College. 

Take a specimen of a single meeting. Lord Cavan 
said he had been particularly struck by 'the num- 
ber of requests made on the previous day for prayer. 
He himself met with eight or nine young men, and 



THE INQ VIE Y MEETING. 6 1 

lie humbly believed that by the grace of God they 
were all drawn to Him, and sealed by the Holy Spirit 
of promise. Rev. Mr. Grant, of Tain, thanked God for 
the effect which even the reports of this movement 
had had in communities far distant from Edinburgh. 
The Eev. Mr. Wilson (Tolbooth Church) said the 
meetings in his church had grown in interest as the 
week of prayer wore on. He thought it would be 
well for the ministers to open their vestries for in- 
quirers after each of the ordinary services in their 
churches.. They had hesitated in his church, but the 
people had taken it into their own hands, and at the 
close of the services in the Tolbooth, on Sabbath, 
several persons had come to his vestry inquiring the 
way to salvation. He thought the previous day the 
most remarkable in the history of Edinburgh. The 
.Rev. Mr. Talon (Episcopal) said he had never been 
present at such refreshing meetings. New life had 
been given to him by them, the days of youth had 
been renewed, and, to the glory of Christ, he had to 
say that for twenty years he had not preached with 
the fullness and freeness he did on Sunday, and he 
did not believe that there had been seen in his preach- 
ing such effects as were produced on Sunday. Eev. 



62 NOT EXCITEMENT. 

Mr. Wemyss (Congregational Church) spoke of many 
hopeful cases in his district. 

"Some said," remarked Mr. Moody, "of these 
meetings that they merely influenced people by ex- 
citing them and working on their feelings till they 
became anxious. ISTow, he had never said less than 
he had spoken at the previous night's meeting, and 
at that of Sunday night, and yet there was a perfect 
host of inquirers on those occasions. He had asked 
those who wished to see him to retire with him to a 
private room, intending, when he had spoken to 
them, to come into the hall and invite out more ; but 
this he did not need to do, for more than one hundred 
inquirers came forward spontaneously. He had to close 
the door on about fifty, being unable to see them. A 
great many who had not been at the meetings at all 
had had conviction brought home to their hearts, God 
having answered the prayers of others on their behalf. 

The Rev. Mr. Robertson, of ISTewington, stated 
some facts in regard to the special services held by 
Messrs. Moody and Sankey in his church during last 
week. He shrank from premature announcement of 
results, but it was not too much to say that the Lord 
had been working with these evangelists. In ISTew- 



POWER NOT FORM. 63 

ins:ton the indifferent were beino; awakened, the 
undecided brought to a blessed decision, and the 
tempest-tossed carried into a haven of rest. He did 
not speak of the inquiry meetings merely, or of the 
number who had gone into them, but he spoke of 
many coming and calling upon him and others pri- 
vately afterwards, or waiting for them at the corners 
of streets, and asking to be helped out of their diffi- 
culties, or to be confirmed and strengthened in their 
faith. He could tell, too, of many Christians being 
stirred to newness of life and exertion. What had 
struck him very much was, that many who had 
been taken up with an empty profession had been 
seeing the great gulf between the mere form of god- 
liness and its living power. There had been old men 
on the brink of the grave coming and receiving sal- 
vation as a little child, and there had been not a few 
little children, both boys and girls, perhaps chiefly 
boys, who were seeking rest, and not able to get it 
until they had found it in the Saviour; and then 
going away rejoicing, having found the pearl of great 
price. 

The Eev. J. M'Ewan (Oanongate Free Church) 
said that they, "the ministers, were, with a few of 



61 THE CONVENTION. 

the laymen, so much occupied by the converts that 
came in, that they had not an opportunity of taking 
impressions of what was going on ; but the mis- 
sionaries in the district, who were in the habit of 
meeting and talking with the people, told him that 
there was a striking impression made upon the popu- 
lation. They were to meet to-day, to see what could 
be done in the way of following up the blessing." 

So the week of prayer closed on Sabbath, the 11th 
January. A week, the like of which, according to 
the testimony of the wisest and most sober of its 
Christian citizens, never before passed in Edinburgh. 

A Convention on Wednesday, the 14th January, in 
the Free Assembly Hall, fittingly followed. Mr. 
Moody presided. 

Ministers and others from all parts of the country 
were present, for the purpose of consulting together 
and obtaining the advantage of the experience of the 
two American brethren, in regard to the best methods 
of conducting various departments of Christian work. 
The hall was greatly crowded, and so eager were 
those outside, to obtain an entrance, that it was found 
necessary to lock the quadrangle gate. Dr. Bonar 
struck the key-note of the conference, in a short 



FINAL MEETINGS. 65 

address on personal effort, and was followed by rep- 
resentative men from various parts of the country, 
lay, clerical, legal, military, and literary. The meet- 
ing continued with unflagging interest from eleven 
o'clock in the forenoon till nearly four o'clock in the 
afternoon. Several of the ministers present stated 
that already they were conducting their prayer meet- 
ings on the model of those held in the Free Assembly 
Hall. 

Before the separation of the Convention, Mr. 
Moody asked the prayers of the assembly for Ber- 
wick-on-Tweed, amongst other towns in Scotland. 
He shortly described the meeting held there, and 
stated his belief that an important spiritual movement 
had been commenced in that town. He believed that 
God was going to give a great blessing to Scotland, if 
they were ready to receive it. The meeting w T as then 
closed with praise and the pronouncing of the bene- 
diction. 

The evangelists' last meeting was at the usual 
union prayer-meeting in the Free Church Assembly 
Hall, and a conference with ministers and elders in 
the Free Assembly Hall in the afternoon, on the sub- 
ject of the duties of the eldership ; and a union prayer- 



66 BERWICK-UPON-TWEED. 

meeting in the evening. Mr. Moody stated that he 
had received many letters from young converts, and a 
great many had come to see him with the question — 
What can I do for Christ ? It was a sure sign of con- 
version to be anxious to work for the Master. This 
disposition should be encouraged and cultivated. Mr. 
Moody went on to urge upon young Christians not to 
neglect their work at home, but to adorn the doctrine 
of Jesus Christ. He prayed, as he left them, that the 
young converts might stand firm, that God might 
keep them from the world. 

And so the brethren left the city of Edinburgh on 
"Wednesday, the 21st January, and proceeded to 
Dundee, the next scene of their arduous evangelistic 
labors, in which were spent two busy and most use- 
ful weeks, with the same results as in Edinburgh. 

Meantime a flying visit had been made to Berwick- 
upon-Tweed for a single day. Professor Cairns thus 
describes the result : 

"I feel constrained to add my testimony to the 
profound impression which has, by the blessing of 
God, been made on the town. I cannot attempt to 
describe the appearance of Wallace Green Church at 
the evening meeting on Tuesday, when the over- 



REV. DR. CA1RXS. 67 

whelming meeting in the Corn Exchange was dis- 
missed, and those who gathered for prayer, with the 
anxious inquirers, crowded in to fill up every corner 
of the spacious church. The shadow of eternity 
seemed cast over the great congregation. Many 
were observed to be in tears; and as the inquirers, 
with hurried and trembling step, passed into the 
vestry (though others found a more private entrance), 
the deepest awe and sympathy pervaded the meeting. 
This continued for a full hour, and such a gathering I 
hardly ever expect again to see in this world. It is 
believed that nearly fifty in all were conversed with 
in the Corn Exchange, in the afternoon, and in the 
church in the evening. Last night ("Wednesday) a 
considerable addition was made to this number, after 
the addresses of Mr. Leitch, of Newcastle, and Mr. 
Chedburn of this town. I would close by earnestly 
commending to all brethren in the ministry a 
movement which, so far as I know it, is so full of 
blessing, and so remarkably free from irregularity, or 
counteracting elements of anv kind." 



68 THE PRESS. 



GLASGOW. 

Glasgow is too near to Edinburgh to remain 
unaffected by any movement that is felt in the 
capital. Desire and expectation were strong in this 
great commercial center. It teems with w r orking 
people, shrewd, keen, but in too many instances in- 
temperate, careless, and ignorant of the way of life, 
and this around very admirable and effective churches 
and ministers. 

Messrs. Moody and Sankey began their work in the 
City Hall, by addressing and leading in sacred song a 
crowded meeting of three thousand Sabbath-school 
teachers, and other religious workers, at nine o'clock 
on Sunday, February 8th. The meeting in the 
evening of that day in the City Hall was densely 
crowded, and the overflow filled many of the neigh- 
boring churches. The entire daily press of Glasgow 
next morning gave favorable notices of the meetings. 

Said the Glasgow Herald : " Mr. Sankey has a good 
voice, and the words of the hymns are enunciated, with 
great distinctness. Mr. Moody's manner is abrupt and 
hurried ; but though his style is perhaps more forcible 
than pathetic, the anecdotes he tells illustrative of the 
plan of redemption are often touching and effective. He 



THE YOUNG MEN. 69 

speaks as a man fully assured of his own salvation, 
and who wishes others to enter on the immediate pos- 
session of like confidence — by laying hold of the 
promises of acceptance and eternal life insured to 
all who place their reliance on the atonement of 
Christ," 

The noon prayer-meeting, held in the Wellington 
Street IT. P. Church, was quite crowded, and on 
Monday, 9th, there was a large meeting at noon, and 
about two thousand persons heard the gospel in the 
Barony and Free Barony Churches in the evening. 
Wellington Street U. P. Church was filled to 
over-flowing next day. Mr. Moody in a short ad- 
dress on the 9th of Daniel, struck the key-note: 
" what was wanted was power from on high." 
He had been told that there were in Glasgow 
seventy thousand young men between the ages 
of fifteen and twenty-five. When he heard it, 
his heart sank within him, and he said, " Who is 
sufficient for these things ? " Then he thought of 
this prayer of Daniel, and considered if fathers and 
mothers and God's people would unite in prayer on 
behalf of these young men, how easy it would be for 
God to turn their hearts. Daniel sought to be heard 



70 "ALL HAVE SINNED." 

" for the Lord's sake." Mr. Moody said that before 
he was converted he did not understand what was 
meant by praying " for Jesus' sake." He never 
prayed for Jesus' sake, but for his own sake. 

The meeting was thrown open, and, among others, 
Dr. A. A. Bonar urged to expectant faith: "Can 
the arm of God, which shook Egypt, not shake Glas- 
gow? Will that arm which divided the Red Sea 
not do wonders here ? Is the power of the cross van- 
ished ? Is the merit of the sacrifice gone ? Is there no 
more room, or is the great Substitute weary of taking 
the sinner's place ? We are a little company, but the 
Spirit of the times of Pentecost is still among us. Let 
us pray, and never doubt, and the arm of the Lord 
will still be seen mighty to save." 

Incidents made their own impression. In the 
the Barony Established Church the previous evening, 
while Mr. Moody was speaking, a deeply solemn feel- 
ing prevailed. Inquirers were asked to retire into the 
vestry, but all seemed disposed to follow Mr. Moody 
to the Free Barony Church. In a short time the 
house was empty, with the exception of one young 
man, who stood leaning against the door of one of the 
pews, in deep distress. Mr. Topping and a friend 



MEETING FOB MEN. 71 

approached and spoke to him. Mr. Moody's remarks 
on Rom. iii. 23, " all have sinned/' had impressed him. 
His distress was great. The Rev. Mr. Topping and 
a friend explained to him the grace of the Lamb of 
God, and he left professing to see the way of salva- 
tion. The ministers having entered into the work in 
concert, no difficulty was experienced in procuring 
suitable buildings in Glasgow. 

The meetings moved from church to church : able 
assistance was derived from the local clergy, the Earl 
of Cavan, the missionaries of the city, and admirable 
elders who entered into the conferences with great 
earnestness. A spectator, writing to a friend in Lon- 
don, gives the impression made by the evening meet- 
ings after a week's labors. " The evening meetings 
in the Established and Free Barony Churches have 
been most solemn, every night this week crammed to 
overflowing, and such a number always staying be- 
hind to be spoken with. Thursday night at half past 
eight, in the City Hall, was a meeting only for men. 
You never saw such a sight ; and Messrs. Moody and 
Sankey say it is the best they have had in this coun- 
try. A great many stayed, and' Mr. Moody jumped 
down amongst them off the platform. In a moment he 



72 REPORTED PROGRESS. 

was surrounded by a whole set of rough fellows. 
One seized his hand, and those who could not get 
near bent their ears to try to catch his words. It was 
most affecting ; and a great work was done, I believe, 
as thanks were given at the noon meeting yesterday 
for answers to prayer for that meeting." 

The noon-day prayer-meeting here also became a 
power. The laborers came together to pray, caught 
the common spirit, and diffused information. In 
illustration of the state of feeling the Rev. Mr. Bid- 
dall remarked that in the midst of a contested elec- 
tion two of the largest churches in the city were filled 
with people daily. Mr. J. Campbell White read a 
letter from Sabbath-school teachers in Dundee. It 
stated that at the close of the usual Sabbath School 
service a meeting for prayer was held. It was at- 
tended by upwards of two hundred boys and girls, 
nearly every one of whom was bathed in tears, and 
upwards of seventy were completely broken down, 
sobbing as if their hearts would break. The Rev. 
Mr. M'Murtrie, Edinburgh, reported regarding the 
progress of the work in that city, stating that there 
was no going back there, and that the meetings were 
as largely attended as ever. A gentleman read a let- 



VARIOUS CLASSES. 



ter from a village near Perth, showing the awakening 
that was taking place there. So the movement was 
diffusing itself over the surrounding towns and 
villages. 

It was decided to address the young directly. 
The meeting on Saturday, Feb. 14, was for children, 
of whom there was a large gathering, accompanied 
by their parents or friends, the place being crowded 
in every part, while Ewing Place Congregational 
Church was also well filled with an audience of 
adults. < Messrs. Moody and Sankey went first to 
the Wellington Street Church, and then to the 
other. Mr. Moody addressed the children on the 
subject of faith, impressing on them how God hon- 
ored faith, and granted the desires of those who had 
confidence in Him, illustrating this principally by the 
case of the little maid who waited on the wife of the 
Syrian captain, who was cured of his leprosy. Sab- 
bath-school teachers had their meeting, and Mr. 
Moody gave an address for the purpose of stimulat- 
ing them and encouraging them in their work. A 
meeting for women only was held, Mr. Moody taking 
for his theme the freeness of the Gospel message, en- 
forcing and illustrating his subject with characteristic 



74 GENERAL IMPRESSIONS. 

energy and point. Mr. Sankey also gave a short ad- 
dress in the afternooon. In the evening meeting, 
which was for men only, Mr. Moody delivered an 
address on the same subject as that chosen in the 
afternoon. At each of the meetings Mr. Sankey 
sang several solos, accompanying himself on the 
harmonium. 

But instead of a detailed account of the meetings, 
let a general view of the work be given, as it struck 
intelligent observers on the spot, when about three 
weeks had been spent by the evangelists in Glasgow. 
Thus writes the editor of the British Evangelist, 
early in March : 

" The meetings here go on with ever-increasing spir- 
itual momentum and ever- widening usefulness. The 
noon meetings and Bible lectures have been very 
profitable to believers. In John Street United Pres- 
byterian Church very large numbers have remained 
for conversation ; and in Ewing Place Chapel, which 
has been nightly crowded with young men, most in- 
teresting inquiry meetings have afterwards been 
held, sometimes extending beyond eleven o'clock. 

" In the City Hall, on Sabbath morning, the meet- 
ing was for young men, specially got up by the 



MR. BRO WNLO W NORTH. To 

Young Men's Christian Association. In the after- 
noon, at five o'clock, and in the evening, crowded 
meetings were held in the same place. About ten 
thousand would hear in that one place the gospel of 
their salvation ; and hundreds were impressed with 
the importance of being saved. 

" As the Monday meetings are mainly for the pur- 
pose of reporting progress, and the Rev. Mr. Taylor 
(Kelvinside Free Church) wished to tell that the 
Lord was granting His Spirit not only in the Eastern 
and Central districts of Glasgow, but in the Western 
district, where he lived and labored. On Sunday, 
special services had been commenced in his church ; 
and the blessing which was being enjoyed in other 
parts of the city was attending the work in Hillhead. 
These services, following on weeks of united prayer 
meetings in the district, were conducted chiefly by 
Mr. Brownlow North. 

" Rev. Dr. Wallace said he should never forget 
the meeting of the Young Men's Christian Associa- 
tion in the City Hall on Sunday morning. It was 
the most wonderful meeting he had ever witnessed ; 
the hall crowded from floor to ceiling, a sea of anxious 
faces ! It was also most delightful, as he looked 



76 BIBLES PRIZED. 



along his own congregation, to see here and there 
young men who had been amongst those one hundred 
and one who had come forward in Ewing Place Chapel 
last Tuesday evening, and confessed Christ publicly. 
Had he been told a few weeks ago what was to take 
place in the city during the last week as to the young 
men, he feared he could scarcely have believed it 
possible. He had been in warehouses where he had 
seen young men take out their pocket Bibles from 
their pockets and say, ' Sir, this is my book for the 
time. 5 And with what delight he had seen passages 
pencilled and leaves folded down ! This spirit was 
pervading all classes of the community. He could 
give many particular instances ; but there were some 
who had felt the influence, who trembled under deep 
emotion, but who, grasping his hand, had said, ' Let us 
keep in the background yet, till we see if it be real.' 
" The Rev. Mr. Howie (Govan), told how, on Sun- 
day night, and during the week, he had spoken to a 
number of young men, some of them merchants, some 
students of divinity, and some students of medicine. 
If this work went on, he could not tell what might 
be the influence in the future of the history of our 
great city. ' 



"YOUNG converts:' 77 

u It was reported that in a house in the neighbor- 
hood of the Saltmarket, a prayer meeting was held 
by a number of mothers who could not attend the 
public meetings. They prayed for the conversion of 
the locality. 

" Mr. Moody declared that one minister was w r orth 
a hundred laymen, because of his influence in the pul- 
pit. He announced that it had been resolved to hold a 
meeting next "Wednesday in Mr. Stewart's church 
for fathers, on Thursday for mothers, and on Friday 
for sisters. Through the efforts of the latter, it might 
be possible to reach the girls in the city warehouses. 
The meeting o f fathers in Edinburgh had been sig- 
nally blessed, and he anticipated a like result for all 
the meetings in Glasgow." 

How the awakened were dealt with may be seen 
from the following from the same paper : 

"About two hundred young converts met Mr. 
Moody, and about seventy (chiefly youths and maid- 
ens) testified before each other that they had been 
converted to God. At the same time about two 
hundred inquirers assembled in the rooms below to 
to be conversed with, and many of them passed into 
the joyful liberty of the gospel of Christ. We sat 



CHRIST CONFESSED. 



beside four (two of them being from Paisley), and 
three of the four went away rejoicing, but the fourth 
was held back by her trouble about a dead husband 
and a hard heart ; and w^hen nearly at the edge of 
decision, stood back a dozen times. We then went 
to the young men's meeting at Ewing Place, and 
as we entered were struck with the impressive 
sight of a thousand young men, the great majority 
of whom w r ere evidently on the Lord's side. After 
prayer and a brief address from a young man, Mr. 
Moody, who had just come from the other meeting, 
spoke a little about confessing Christ. This young 
men's meeting has been going on for a fortnight, 
with meetings for inquirers at its close, and night 
after night many young men have been brought to 
Christ." 

How the young men were dealt with may be 
learned from a statement of the Rev. Mr. Riddel, 
w T ho, speaking of the meeting held the previous even- 
ing, said that, of the twenty-three young men who 
entered the inquiry-room with him, only one seemed 
to go away with a cloud of darkness resting on his 
spirit. There are young men coming in numbers to 
the Lord. If we are faithful, the Lord "will own it. 



WORKING. 79 



A young man was sent to me from the country with 
a certificate of church membership. I said, " That is 
all right so far as the visible church is concerned, but 
what about connection with the Lord Jesus. Are you 
united to Him ? " " JSTo, sir, I am not ; that question 
was never put to me. I have often felt I had no 
right to be at the Lord's Table, but did not see how 
I could stay back, for I was a Sabbath-school teacher*." 
The Lord opened his eyes to see that it was all done 
for him in Jesus — he came and said, " Salvation is 
mine now." 

The manner in which the hymn is introduced is 
well illustrated in this meeting. Mr. Sankey said, 
" Now is the time for working. I saw on a tomb- 
stone at Stirling yesterday this word deeply carved 
in the stone — ' Waiting? There will be time for 
waiting by and by, but now is the time for working P 
He then sang — 

Hark, tlie voice of Jesus crying 

Who will go and work to-day ? 
Fields are white, and harvest waiting, 

Who will bear the sheaves away ? 
Loud and long the Master calleth, 

Rich reward He offers thee ; 
Who will answer, gladly saying, 

Here am I, send me, send me 9 



80 PEA TEES AND PEAISES. 

"Why," said Dr. Wallace, "just now everybody 
seems anxious to be spoken to. People look at you 
on the street with anxiety depicted on their counte- 
nances. The other afternoon, coming dow T n from the 
services in the College Church, a young man looked 
at me with so much anxiety apparent in his face, that 
I spoke to him. I found the young man, who was a 
student, in a state of distress about his soul ; and I 
spoke some comforting words to him, for which he 
seemed very grateful. Many, many more than we 
think, are waiting to be spoken to. What Sir Gar- 
net Wolseley said to his officers when attacked in the 
bush near Coomassie, when they could not see the 
enemy, was applicable to every man in Glasgow at 
the present time — ' You have your orders — advance, 
and let every man do what he can.' ' She hath done 
what she could. 5 " 

So young men were appealed to in the crowded 
city, and the Lord gave the blessing. No wonder 
that gratitude mingled with penitent cries, and that 
praises went up with prayers. 

" There is something far better than gold. God 
thinks so little of gold, that, in the New Jerusalem, it 
is used for paving the streets," said Mr. Moody, "and 



THANKSGIVINGS. 81 

every Christian man will understand it. Even the 
joy of winning souls, and of seeing souls won to 
Christ, is better joy than the world's best." 

The " thanksgivings " at the various meetings are 
worthy of notice. The leper who has been blessed 
must return to give glory to God. Here is an aver- 
age sample of those sent in to the Daily Prayer- 
meeting — 

" Thanksgiving asked for the conversion of a young 
gentleman, brought to the Lord on a visit to Glasgow. 
He is now rejoicing in the Lord, and has written 
home to tell the good news ; for a young man led out 
of difficulty in answer to prayer; a sister's thanks for 
the conversion of a brother ; for large blessing on 
Broughton ; for a wonderful blessing on the work at 
Musselburgh; for the conversion of a daughter; for 
the return of a prodigal, in answer to prayer; for 
good received at meetings in London ; for the con- 
version of a Sabbath class ; for the conversion of three 
girls, who, since the first Week of Prayer, have given 
themselves to the Lord ; for two souls brought to the 
Lord, one of them a sister long prayed for; for a 
young woman in Dundee, often prayed for as bor- 
dering on despair, but now trusting in Jesus ; for a 
4.* 



82 THE MINISTERS. 



mother prayed for last Tuesday as desirous of coming 
to Christ, who believes that now she has closed with 
Him ; for a sister prayed for at these meetings, who 
is now happy in Jesus ; for prayer answered in the 
reconciliation of a family professing to be Christians ; 
from one who found Jesus last night in the College 
Church ; a minister desires praise for a recent awaken- 
ing in his congregation." 

Help came from brethren, such as Mr. George 
Wilson, of the Tolbooth Church, Edinburgh; Mr. 
Maclaren, from Manchester, and Mr. Arnot, from 
Edinburgh. At the daily prayer-meeting, it became 
an every-day thing to see the pulpit, the pulpit- stairs, 
and the three front seats, filled with ministers from 
town and country. There were a hundred ministers 
oftentimes, and Mr. Moody took the utmost pains to 
avail himself of their co-operation, in view of the 
vast influence they exert on their people when they 
are themselves filled with the Holy Grhost. Whitefield 
used to say, in regard to this, that " every minister's 
name was Legion." 

An eye was being kept, all this time, on the places 
in England that had been visited. Men in whom the 
churches have confidence reported. The Rev. Dr. 



YOUNG COMMUNICANTS. S3 

Cairns, for example, at the Noon-meeting, at which 
he presided, said : 

" I have been requested to say a few words about 
the awakening which, by God's grace, has lately taken 
place in Berwick-on-Tweed, the town where I have 
so long labored as a minister. I am happy to state 
that this work continues and is bearing fruit unto 
holiness, of which the end shall be eternal life. There 
are, in all the Churches of Christ there, movements, 
awakenings more or less, prayer-meetings, in addition 
to the noon-day prayer-meetings ; and tokens of in- 
terest are not wanting, as, for example, in the com- 
ing forward of young persons who have been awak- 
ened to seek admission to the Communion of the 
Church. It was only the other day that I intimated 
the Communion, and already as many persons have 
come forward seeking admission to the Table as I 
have admitted almost at any time in the course of my 
ministry ; and I doubt not that the number, before 
the Sacrament season comes round, will be very con- 
siderably increased. This is what we desire and hope 
for. Oh, how delightful it is to speak to these young 
persons! There is not that difficulty in obtaining 
answers to the questions that we propose; there is 



8i MUTUAL HELP. 



not that reserve and reluctance on speaking of per- 
sonal religion and Christian experience that ministers 
at such a time so often have to lament. In other 
words, there is evidence that this work of God is 
deep and genuine in that place. We have now ceased 
to hold evening meetings in our Corn Exchange, w T hich 
holds about fifteen hundred people. We met there 
for more than twenty days in succession, and each day 
it was crowded. We have ceased to hold these spe- 
cial meetings, but only to direct our energies into the 
districts where the population is composed of fisher- 
men and other classes who could not conveniently 
attend the town meetings. Last week I spoke at five 

district meetings on successive evenings, and other 

» 

brethren w T ho have entered heartily into this work 
have been doing the same. There have been some 
inquirers at these meetings, although not quite so 
numerous as at the beginning in Berwick-on-Tweed ; 
but we trust that good will be done in this way." 

The reproducing and self-extending power of deep 
religious feeling found many illustrations in Glasgow. 
Every night at nine o'clock the young men met, 
and the work among them made steady progress, 
Mr. Moody coming in, as usual, near the close of 



"WISHING TO BE SAVED." 85 

the hour, and making some remarks on the impor- 
tance of "confessing Christ with the mouth. Through 
neglect of this, many are left in something like 
darkness, and have little joy. "We ought to speak for 
Christ ; at the same time we must beware of spiritual 
pride. Heart utterances are what we want, not flow- 
ing eloquence. "Whenever the devil whispers ' That 
was a good address, 5 you are in danger." 

After a hymn, for example, an opportunity is given 
to those recently brought to Christ to tell "how 
great things the Lord had done for them, and 
how He had compassion on them." A young man 
begins by saying, u I was one of the one hun- 
dred and one." He meant by this expression to 
refer to the memorable Tuesday night, when a 
breathing of the Holy Spirit passed through the assem- 
bly, and one hundred and one young men came to 
the front seats, asking to be prayed for and guided 
into the truth. The speaker added, "I had been 
wishing to be saved for many years. When those 
who were sure that they were Christians were asked 
to stand up, I felt that I could not honestly do so, 
though I was a member of the Church, a Sabbath- 
school teacher, and was one of ten who had sent in a 



86 DIRECT APPEAL. 

request for our warehouse, for prayer on our behalf. 
I kept my seat. Mr. Moody then asked all that were 
Christians to leave the three front pews. I occupied 
one of these, and when the others went out I kept my 
place. Thinking that I had, perhaps, misunderstood 
him, Mr. Moody kindly said to me, ' Are you not a 
Christian? 5 I said, r I am not.' But that very 
night I found Christ." 

A young student next spoke : " I also was one of 
the one hundred and one of that night. Though 
taking part in Christian work, I felt my need of what 
I had not found. That night, at the meeting for con- 
versation, five of the young men in succession spoke to 
me ; and each, unknown to the other, quoted to me 
John v. 24, ' Yerily, verily I say unto you, He that 
heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent 
Me, hath everlasting life." I was at length enabled 
to apprehend the truth, and I now thank the Lord for 
saving me, and pray that all here may be brought to 
Christ." 

Another spoke : " I had been seeking Christ a long 
time. That night, when I was going away without 
relief, Mr. Moody came up, and took me kindly by 
the hand. He looked at me — I might say he put his 



SCOTTISH RETICENCE. 87 

two eyes right through mine — and asked me if I 
would take Christ now. I could not speak, but my 
heart said, Yes." 

One very intelligent young man told briefly, but 
very clearly, what his state had been till he w T as 
awakened, and how miserable he had been, not able 
to see that salvation was for him. Getting a ray of 
light, he went home, read John iii. 36, " He that be- 
lieve th on the Son hath everlasting life," and sought 
on his knees to be led to the truth. " And," he 
added, " God heard me. I believed then ; I believe 
now ; I am a ransomed soul." Scottish youth are 
not at all demonstrative in regard to their feelings ; 
it is not usual for them to tell out what is passing in 
their hearts on the subject of their state towards God ; 
until they have faith, they are slow to speak about 
their feelings. 

The Rev. A. A. Bonar, an honored Christian minis- 
ter in Scotland, who describes these incidents, adds : 
" I am writing to you about Glasgow specially ; but 
you may like to get notice about God's w T ork in less 
known localities. Requests for prayer come to hand 
from all quarters — e. </., one came to me, asking my 
congregation to pray for a work of God in the district 



88 THE BBEATH OF LIFE. 

of John O'Groat's house ; and another from Christian 
friends who live near Cape Wrath. Preaching on 
Wednesday at Auchterarder, I found unmistakable 
traces of God's goings in that quarter; and passing on 
in the evening to Dollar, found an assembly of above 
one thousand souls, eager to hear the word ; and at 
the close, beside others, about fifty of the boys and 
young of the Dollar Institute waited for conversation 
and inquiry. At the Stirling noon-day prayer-meet- 
ing, next day, there was a large attendance. There 
have been not a few awakened there of late, and the 
interest is deepening. The ministers of all denomina- 
tions take part most cordially. There,*too, I heard 
of work going on not only in such places as Alva and 
Dunfermline, but in obscure parishes. Souls are com- 
ing from great distances to ask the way of life at the 
lips of those who can tell it, and these souls aw r akened 
to this concern by no direct means, but evidently by 
the Holy Spirit who is breathing over the land. It is 
such a time as we have never had in Scotland before. 
The same old gospel is preached to all men as 
aforetime, Christ who was made sin for us, Christ the 
Substitute, Christ's blood, Christ's righteousness, 
Christ crucified, the power of God, and the wisdom 



JOY OF HARVEST. 89 

of God unto salvation ; but now the gospel is preached 
" with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven." 
And amid all this the enemy is restrained, so that we 
are solemnly reminded of Rev. vii. 1-3, the time be- 
fore the coming of the Lord, when the four angels are 
charged to let no storm burst, not to allow the wind 
even to ruffle the sea's smooth surface or move a leaf 
of any tree, till the seal of the living God has been put 
on his elect. Is not this sealing going on daily among 
us ? Are not the four angels looking on ? Surely it 
is time to seek the Lord, that He may rain righteous-- 
ness upon us." 

Is it strange that a thrilling interest marked meet- 
ings replete with incidents like the following ? 

Thanks were given for a person who had been 
blessed while the hymn u Jesus of Nazareth passeth 
by," was being sung ; and several other cases were 
reported in which the same hymn had been blessed. 
A Christian working-man said, that " in the building- 
yard where he worked, this week there had been two 
boys ancj three men brought to Christ." " I give 
thanks for six," was on a paper handed in at the prayer- 
meeting ; while a disciple, who had for many years 
been pleading for the conversion of near and 



90 THE WORD PRECIOUS. 

dear relatives, asked the meeting to join him in 
thanksgiving for a daughter saved, a nephew and 
several nieces. A letter said : " We cannot leave 
Glasgow without telling yon that the brother whom 
we told you of as having come here to attend the 
meetings, left for London this evening, we firmly be- 
lieve, resting in Jesus." 

A lady asked prayer for her own conversion, stat- 
ing, " I have come from Switzerland on purpose to be 
present at the meetings. I have been well brought 
up, but am not a Christian. 5 ' 

A person about twenty miles out of town wrote : 

" Dear sir, would you kindly forward four tickets to 

admit to the morning meeting, on Sabbath first, to 

the City Hall. I have never had the pleasure of being 

present at any of these precious meetings that have 

been held in Glasgow, though a constant reader of the 

reports given in the various newspapers ; but I will be 

in Glasgow on Sabbath first, along with three friends. 

Going in the spirit of anxious inquirers, we pray God 

that it may be our blessed privilege to come home hav- 
# 
ing found that Christ is indeed precious to each of us." 

Another day, at noon, four young men from a 

mining district in Ayrshire were found waiting at the 



AFRAID TO SPEAK. 91 

close of the meeting to speak to Mr. Moody, if possi- 
ble. He had gone out ; but they sat down in the 
inquiry-room with one of the ministers who was still 
there. "Are you all of one mind? Are you all in 
Christ ? " was the question put to them. " Three of 
us are Christ's, but our friend here (pointing to the 
fourth) is not." The minister entered into conversa- 
tion with the unsaved but anxious one, and found out 
his state of mind. He showed him that Christ was 
offering to be his substitute, and to appear in the 
presence of God for him, and asked, " "Will you be- 
lieve in Him as He so offers Himself to you ? " In a 
moment the lad's countenance changed, and half 
springing from his seat, he struck the Bible with his 
hand, exclaiming, " I see it all ! " The scale had 
fallen from his eyes, and he, with his three friends, who 
had been to him like the friends of the palsied man, 
left the room to return home by the train, rejoicing. 
One other case. A young man attracted Mr. Moody's 
attention at an inquiry-meeting, an intelligent young 
man, who had long been anxious. Mr. Moody 
discovered that one thing had hindered his full 
decision, viz., want of courage to. tell his wife all that 
was passing through his mind. But last Sabbath 



92 WITH ONE ACCORD. 

afternoon lie was enabled to go home and frankly tell 
all he felt. It turned out that she too was in deep anx- 
iety, only waiting to have the ice broken. The result 
has been complete deliverance of soul to that young 
man, who is able now to help others in the way. 

From the Signs of the Times, in which careful ac- 
counts of the awakening appeared from week to 
week, we extract the programme of meetings for the 
week March 23-30, from a glance at which an idea 
may be obtained of the energy with which the work 
was carried forward : 

" Young Men's Meetings (Special Week). 

"East U. P. Church, Partick, 8 p. m. (Mr. Sankey 
present), on Tuesday and Thursday. 

"Ewing Place Congregational Church, 8:30 p.m. 
(Mr. Sankey present); on Tuesday and Thursday. 

" Eglinton Street Congregational Church, 8 p. m. 
(Mr. Sankey present), Wednesday and Friday. 

" Sydney Place IT. P. Church, 8:30 p. m. (Mr. 
Sankey present), Wednesday and Friday. 

" Free St. Mary's, Grovan, 6:30 p. m. (Mr. Sankey 
present) ; Eglinton Street U. P. Church, 8 p.m.; 
Burnbank U. P. Church, 7 p.m.; London Road U. P. 
Church, 7:30 p. m. 



ON "GRACE." 93 



"Mr. Moody will address men who desire to 
become Christians in East Campbell Street U. P. 
Church (Eev. Dr. Wallace's), on Tuesday, Wednesday, 
Thursday, and. Friday evenings. Admission by ticket. 

"Afternoon Bible Lectures by Mr. Moody on 
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 25th, 26th, and 
27th, in Pollok Street Church." 

The attention of the Christian people had now 
been fairly aroused. Mr. Spurgeon, with a view to 
Glasgow, preached a sermon to young men which was 
instantly put into circulation, and at the same time 
gave a cordial invitation to the Evangelists to his 
Tabernacle in London. Of this sermon 25,000 copies 
were promptly distributed in Glasgow. 

Some idea may be formed of the Scriptural style of 
address / employed in these meetings from the following 
concise abstract of Mr. Moody's address in St. Silas' 
Episcopal Church, on Tuesday, March 17, on " Grace." 
The church is seated for one thousand, but with 
forms and filling up of the side aisles, there would 
be thirteen hundred present. After Mr. Sankey had 
led u Come, Thou Fount " with the choir, the Incum- 
bent, Dr. Hutton, engaged in prayer. The passages 
of Scripture on which Mr. Moody founded his dis- 



94 GRACE AND LAW. 

course were John i. 14-17; Kom. v. 15; 1 Cor. 
i. 3, 4 ; 1 Peter v. 10, and others. He began by 
showing grace to be a free gift. "People," he said, 
" are trying to work for it ; if you work for it you 
are not in a position to receive it. Don't attempt to 
add anything to the finished work of Christ." Mr. 
Moody went on to show the contrast between law and 
grace by reading Deuteronomy xxi. 18-21. The law 
says " Stone him, smite him ; " Christ says, " Kiss 
him, forgive him." The law says, " Take shoes off ;" 
the father to the prodigal says, "Put them on." 
Three thousand lost life in one day at the giving of 
the law, and three thousand found it in one day at 
Pentecost. Moses, the lawgiver, turned water into 
blood ; Christ, water into wine. He concluded by 
showing that the Christian must not be satisfied with 
the gift of grace once, but seek for more grace daily. 
" God is able to make all grace to abound." 

Mr. Sankey sang very touchingly, " Christ hath re- 
deemed us once for all," — a hymn which has already 
been the means of bringing peace to souls where it 
has been sung. At the end of the meeting he sang 
his hymn on grace, entitled, " More to follow." 
Kev. Mr. Howie, Free Church, Govan, concluded 



CANNOT BUT SPEAK. 95 

with a most fervent prayer which seemed to carry 
the hearts of all present. Dr. Wallace (Established 
Church) pronounced the benediction. 

As a rule the results were the largest and the most 
promising where prayer had gone before, and in- 
struction was well sustained. Take one case in illus- 
tration : Mr. Howie's church, where every Sunday, for 
two months or so, the pastor had an after-meeting, every 
one of which has been marked with results which will 
be recorded in the annals of eternity. So the way was 
well prepared for Messrs. Moody and Sankey to com- 
mence their labors. There, as elsewhere, they have 
the same old story of their work, churches and halls 
crowded to overflowing day after day and night after 
night : many coming, as can be seen, out of sheer curi- 
osity: but with more than one of such the Lord has gra- 
ciously met in an unexpected hour and manner like. 
A young lady of talent and education was thus unex- 
pectedly met by the Lord in November in Edin- 
burgh. Immediately on her conversion she began to 
testify for God. The result is, that she lost her situ- 
ation as a governess in a family of station. " But I 
do not mind that," she said ; " how could I help 
speaking to the little ones of Jesus i " 



96 « BLESSINGS DIFFUSED: 9 

In this district Rev. Mr. Howie reported that " the 
number of applications for tickets for the meetings 
to be held there was quite overwhelming, and they 
had to make selections in the distribution. When 
Christians applied for them they received them only 
on the condition that they would give them to un- 
converted people." 

There is a certain degree of uniformity in the 
methods of operation and in the results, after the at- 
tention of the community in Glasgow had been thor- 
oughly aroused ; no good purpose, therefore, is 
served by reciting the details of meetings, and numbers 
in attendance, and at the inquiry-meetings. It was 
felt that the inquirers should be visited and followed 
with instruction, by their own chosen ministers. 
We are not, therefore, susprised to find that Dr. 
Jeffrey, minister of London Road Church, sent, after 
meetings in his church, upwards of eighty letters to 
ministers of all denominations in the city telling 
the names of anxious inquirers in their congregations, 
"that the fruits of awakening may not be lost." 

Other places had, besides, been indirectly and in- 
cidentally benefited. Bible readings in the south 
side of the city, had been greatly blessed, especially 



WISE PBECA TTTIONS. 97 

to the richer portion of the community. Let the 
reports of the Rev. Andrew A. Bonar, D. D., give 
an idea of the diligence and activity of the Christian 
laborers, and the degree of blessing vouchsafed. We 
necessarily abbreviate : 

" The work goes on. The Lord Jesus, sitting at 
the right hand of God, is ' confirming the word by 
signs following.' We hear of conversions coming 
under the notice of workers for the Lord in all parts 
of the town. At the close of the evening meetings 
in John Street United Presbyterian Church and the 
Wesleyan Methodist Church, the number of inquirers 
was large ; but so well was all arranged for convers- 
ing with them, that though there must have been 
above a hundred at one time, yet all was order and 
stillness, the different workers in separate seats, and 
some in separate rooms, dealing with the anxious. 
No idlers were permitted to look on, and there was time 
for helping individuals to get at a clear understand- 
ing of their own difficulties and hindrances, which in 
many cases is the main thing needed, in order to their 
right apprehension of the Gospel." 

The manner in which divine truth came to human 
souls, is illustrated in such incidents as the following : 
5 



98 THE WARRANT OF THE WORD. 

A young lady remarked to a minister one night, 
" I understand everything that is said and done. I 
believe all that you can tell me. You cannot tell me 
anything but what I believe, and yet I don't feel it." 

"But God has said, believe and be saved, not feel 
and be saved." 

" But I do not realize it, and do not feel it at all. 55 

"But it is upon the testimony of God that you 
must take it. God 5 s word is true, whether you feel 
it or do not feel it. 55 

" Do you mean to say that I am just to rest on that, 
without feeling it % 55 

" I do not say so. It is God that says so. 55 

" Then it is upon God 5 s testimony that, believing, 
I am to conclude that 1 am saved % 55 

' ' Certainly ; just because God says it. 55 

" I think I see it now. It is just upon God 5 s testi- 
mony. I see it now. 55 And as she rose she said, " 1 
see it now. Tlie hurden is all away" 

" What has taken it away ? 55 

" The testimony of God concerning His Son. 55 

" What makes you so sure ? 55 

" That which is written in this Book, 55 she said, 
holding up her Bible as she left the room. 



REST IN CHRIST. 99 



A lady found a girl in whom she was interested 
deeply anxious. She brought her to the hall when 
she could get no peace, and there, in the corridor, was 
Mr. Sankey, speaking to eight or nine gathered 
round him. He was dwelling upon " He that be- 
lieve th hath everlasting life" dwelling specially 
upon the word " hath" The young woman listened 
intently, and at last grasped it, saying, u I have got 
it. That word 'hath 5 has done it all." And she 
went away rejoicing in Christ. 

Another was asked if she could not take her stand 
upon that word, " Christ died for the ungodly," and 
went away unable to sleep that night for joy. 

Many times has the simple question, "Are you 
saved ? " been greatly blessed. One invalid, who, in 
her sick room, had heard of conversions but could not 
understand what it meant, was asked the kind ques- 
tion, "Are you a child of God?" which planted a 
fresh thorn in her pillow. She could not rest, but 
tossed in agony till, early in the morning, the words 
came into her mind, " Come unto Me, and I will give 
you rest," and she rested there. 

It must not be supposed that, even from the very first, 
the blessing was in any way limited to the sphere of 



100 TRUE REVIVAL. 



Mr. Moody's personal influence. Meetings were 
thronged to hear the ordinary preaching of the word. 
A Gospel sermon could hardly be preached without 
great results. All Christian workers, and specially 
faithful ministers, found their work doubled in the 
most blessed way. In their places surrounding the 
chair each day at noon ; scattered here and there at 
evangelistic meetings every evening ; called on con- 
tinually to speak to inquirers, — one felt that, unless 
special strength were given, they could not meet the 
demands on them. 

We have said little yet of the work among Chris- 
tians, yet perhaps to Him who searches hearts, this 
part of the revival looks as stupendous as the other. 
It has not been uncommon to find backsliding Chris- 
tians sitting among the anxious, weeping more bit- 
terly than all; — not for a soul lost, but for a Saviour 
dishonored ; asking if they might still hope that the 
grieved Spirit would return, and that their lost peace 
and first love might be restored. To many who have 
for years been believers, it seems as if the fullness of 
Christ has opened up a mine of untold riches, which 
they never dreamt of. Those who lived on the 
border line, so that neither they nor their friends 



MASTERS AND MEN : 101 

could tell clearly what they were, have stepped boldly 
out on to the Lord's ground, and many who passed 
for Christians, both with themselves and others, have 
exchanged a false hope for a true one. 

Employers showed a lively interest in the men 
whom they employed. Take an illustration. 

On March 30th Messrs. Moody and Sankey were 
present at the daily prayer-meeting in the ship-build- 
ing yard of Alex. Stephen and Sons, Linthouse, Glas- 
gow. There was a large attendance of the working- 
men, the numbers being variously estimated from 
one thousand five hundred to two thousand, and all 
the partners of the firm were also present. All lis- 
tened with eager interest as Mr. Sankey opened the 
meeting by singing " Jesus of Nazareth passeth by." 
Rev. Robert Howie led the prayers of the meeting; 
and another solo, singularly appropriate, " The Life- 
boat," was sung by Mr. Sankey. Mr. Moody then 
delivered a most solemn and stirring address from the 
words — " I bring you glad tidings of great joy ; " and 
there seemed to be a deep impression produced. At 
the close he expressed the delight he experienced in 
addressing such an interesting audience, and inti- 
mated that arrangements would be made by the 



102 "SCATTERED VILLAGES." 

Central Evangelistic Committee for sending similar 
aid from time to time to those seeking thus to honor 
the Saviour, and obtain blessings for themselves and 
others. Mr. Stephen, speaking in the name of both 
employers and employees, expressed thanks to Messrs. 
Moody and Sankey for their kindness in thus com- 
plying with the request sent to them last week, and 
exhorted all present to show their gratitude by ac- 
cepting of Christ. 

The outlying villages around Glasgow began to 
feel the influence of the word, and communications 
from a distance stimulated the laborers. 

Mr. Edgar, of the Tieformed Presbyterian Church, 
Landressy street, told of nearly a hundred inquirers 
in connection with Mr. Moody's meeting there. 

Mr.- William Sloan, as one of a deputation sent to 
Belfast, detailed interesting facts regarding a remark- 
able meeting there, at the close of which five hundred 
young men waited for prayer. 

The "Women's meetings in Free Cunningham 
Church, and the Mill-girls' in Mr. McMunn's Church, 
Great Hamilton street (conducted by ladies), were 
very remarkable for the number who remained to be 
conversed with every evening, and of these one and 



QUIET SOLEMNITY. 103 

another have come " out of darkness into marvelous 
light." 

There was no excitement at any of these gatherings ; 
there was quiet, calm solemnity. Strange, indeed, 
this absence of excitement in such assemblies, con- 
sidering the great and undeniable results; but all the 
more did it hereby prove itself to be the work of the 
Spirit, who comes into the soul as the quiet breath of 
life. The meetings every evening from Monday, 
March 29th, in Wellington Palace, a new hall in 
Commercial road, which accommodates about two 
thousand or two thousand five hundred persons, were 
thronged to the door by an audience drawn from 
the south-east part of the city. Even on nights 
when Mr. Moody was not there, there was quite a 
crowded attendance, and ministers of all denominations 
were present. Each night not fewer than a hundred 
inquirers waited. Nor was it otherwise at the Town- 
head Established Church, where the minister, Mr. 
Turnbull, had thrown himself into the work with all 
his heart. 

Referring to another part of the city and another 
class, Dr. Elder Cumming, of Sandyford Established 
Church, declared that he had never known anything 



104 THE OLD GOSPEL. 

like this movement during the twenty years of his 
ministry. He was able to reckon up something like 
forty cases of people converted to the Lord during 
the last two months, some of them among the poor 
and some of them in the higher ranks of society, but 
both classes alike rejoicing in the treasure they had 
found. A minister from the country, Mr. McAulay, 
of the Free Church, Old Kilpatrick, said on the same 
occasion " that he had watched the meetings from the 
view-point of a conservative theology, and rejoiced to 
discover that nothing was proclaimed but the old 
truth — man lost, and Christ all-sufficient to save." 

The Bible-readings on the south side of .the river, 
in the Congregationalist Chapel, Eglinton street (Mr. 
David Russell's), continued to be thronged to the 
door. 

In the county of Aberdeen, at Kennethmont, Roth- 
iemay, New Marnoch, there was a shaking among 
the dry bones, and at Drum blade a great number 
had been remarkably awakened. " Scores of anxious 
souls," says one, " were there, ministers, elders, and 
others directing them to Jesus. I was never made 
so happy as oue night when I found faces suffused 
with tears, looking into my face, and crying — c O 



FAST-BAY WEEK. 105 

how shall I, how can I, be saved ? ' 5? At Pitcaple, in 
another part of the county, the awakening was every 
way as remarkable. 

During what is called Fast-day week in Glasgow, 
when religious persons are engaged in the services 
connected with the communion, and the irreligious 
take a holiday, Messrs. Moody and Sankey left the 
city for a few days, and visited Helensburgh, Paisley, 
and Greenock. 

The ground was already prepared, and many were 
looking forward to their visit with the highest ex- 
pectations. A general stir in the community, crowds 
occupying the places of meeting long before the hours 
advertised, eager and hushed audiences completely 
swayed by the speaking and singing, the deepest 
solemnity in the thronged inquiry -rooms — these were 
the features everywhere. Cordiality and unanimity 
prevailed among the ministers of the Gospel and 
Christians of different denominations. 

At Helensburgh the first meeting was held in the 
"West Free Church at half-past three o'clock. An 
hour and a half before the time announced the church 
was filled to overflowing, and by the time the service 
commenced the passages and every available space 
5* 



106 PAISLEY. 



were occupied. Mr. Moody delivered his lecture on 
" The Blood," and Mr. Sankey sang several hymns. 
The crowd was equally great in the evening in 
the United Presbyterian Church. The subject was 
" The Gospel." After the first meeting believers and 
inquirers were asked to remain, when about six or 
seven hundred occupied the whole body of the 
church. Mr. Moody addressed the anxious, showing 
that simple trust alone was needed. He then invited 
those who wished to be spoken with individually to 
retire into the session-house. About fifty went. It 
was a most solemn meeting, many being in the 
deepest distress. 

Paisley and Greenock were visited; a Sabbath 
being given to the latter important place. 

The Rev. A. Henderson, United Presbyterian min- 
ister, gives the following account of the work in 
Paisley : 

" During the week of prayer in the beginning of 
the year we had a series of daily meetings in Free St. 
George's Church, which were attended by numbers 
that steadily increased till the close. A deep impres- 
sion was produced, and earnest desires were expressed 
that Messrs. Moody and Sankey might visit the town. 



THE FIELD PREPARED. 107 

" Shortly after the close of the week of prayer a 
meeting of ministers of various denominations was 
called in the usual way, by circular signed by the 
senior minister of the town. Almost all denomina- 
tions were represented at the meeting, and it was 
unanimously agreed to send a requisition to Messrs. 
Moody and Sankey, asking them to visit Paisley. 
This requisition was signed by more than two-thirds 
of the evangelical ministers of the town. It was 
agreed at the same time that a daily prayer-meeting 
should be commenced. That meeting has been regu- 
larly held since the end of February in Oakshaw 
United Presbyterian Church. United evangelistic 
meetings have been also held on Monday and Thurs- 
day evenings. These meetings have occasionally been 
addressed by those who had taken a part in the move- 
ment in Edinburgh and Glasgow. After some of 
these meetings a few inquirers remained to be con- 
versed with, and some were brought to peace in be- 
lieving. 

" On Wednesday of this week, Mr. Moody came 
among us. The mid-day prayer-meeting held in Mr. 
France's church was crowded. Long before the hour 
announced, the Abbey was filled to hear one of his 



108 COMFORT FOB THE MOURNERS. 

Bible lectures, and in the evening the Free High 
Church was crammed in every corner. More than 
two thousand people must have been present. Mr. 
Moody spoke from John iii., on the necessity of the 
new birth. A very deep impression was made, and 
about forty inquirers were individually conversed 
with, many of whom departed rejoicing. On Thurs- 
day Mr. Sankey came. The Free High Church was 
again crowded an hour before the time of meeting. 
Free St. George's was also opened, and filled to over- 
flowing. A number of inquirers were spoken to in the 
latter place, and about sixty remained in the Free High 
Church. Mr. Moody returned yesterday. He address- 
ed the mid-day prayer-meeting, gave a Bible reading 
in the Free High Church at four o'clock on f Heaven,' 
and addressed the meeting in the same place in the 
evening. An hour before the time the large building 
was crowded in every part ; not an inch of standing 
room was left. About two hundred inquirers re- 
mained, The scene was most impressive. The whole 
area of the church was occupied by groups of men and 
women, many of whom were weeping most bitterly, 
while ministers and Christian friends were engaged 
in speaking to them of Christ. At the close, Mr. 



GREENOCK. 109 



Moody gathered the inquirers together, and asked all 
who could say now that they could cast themselves on 
Christ to stand up and sing ' Just as I am/ when the 
great majority stood up. It was a sight to be remem- 
bered for a lifetime. The cloud of blessing has burst 
over us at last. The prayers of God's children have 
been answered, and their hearts refreshed. Brethren 
of all denominations have come together and have 
wrought together for a common end." 

Of the result, of the Sabbath given to Greenock, 
the Rev. E. Maclean, Baptist minister, gives the fol- 
lowing account : 

" The movement in Greenock, which is now felt to 
be touching and impressing all classes, may be said, 
under God, to be the outgrowth of daily prayer-meet- 
ings and special evangelistic efforts which have been 
maintained for more than three months. 

" Arrangements were made for Messrs. Moody and 
Sankey visiting the town, and for a visit to the neigh- 
boring town of Paisley at the same time; so we had 
these friends with us alternately. On Wednesday, 
the 8th of April, Mr. Sankey visited us, and took part 
in our daily prayer-meeting at noon, in the Town 
Hall, where between two and three thousand people 



110 THE NEW BIRTH. 

were assembled. In connection with this service there 
was a profound impression produced by the singing 
of the hymn 'Nothing but Leaves.' In the even- 
ing there was again a crowded attendance at the 
Town Hall and St. Michael Street United Presbyte- 
rian Church, which was open for the overflow, at both 
of which places Mr. Sankey was present during the 
evening. 

"On Thursday Mr. Moody attended three meet- 
ings. The daily prayer-meeting was crowded; and, 
after prayer and praise, Mr. Moody spoke from Luke 
v. 18, in his usual graphic way. In the afternoon, he 
gave his Bible lecture on ' Heaven. 5 The solemnity 
and attention displayed seemed to show that the truth 
set forth was finding its way to many a heart. In 
the evening Mr. Moody followed up his address on 
4 Heaven' by an address on ' Regeneration,' specially 
addressed to the unconverted, in which he showed 
that, ' Except a man be born again, he cannot see the 
kingdom of God.' After the public meeting there 
were a second and third meeting, at which a large 
number of inquirers remained. 

" On Friday Mr. Sankey was present at the largest 
forenoon meeting we have yet had ; and again in the 



AN EYE-WITNESS. Ill 

evening, when Revs. Messrs. Smith, Maclean, Syming- 
ton, Young, and Jarvie addressed the assembly, num- 
bering over three thousand persons. 

" On Saturday the daily meeting was reserved spe- 
cially for children, and the hall was again densely 
crowded with children, their parents and friends. 
Mr. Sankey sang ' Jesus loves Me,' 'Room among 
the Angels,' ' Hold the Fort,' etc. Altogether during 
the last few days it may be calculated that from four 
to five thousand have been hearing the Gospel daily. 
Nearly all the ministers of the town have taken part 
in one way or another during the course of the meet- 
ings." 

By the middle of April, Glasgow Christians felt 
that they had had time to form an opinion regarding 
the agencies employed and the results. Rev. James 
Wells, Free Barony Church, Glasgow, himself a most 
laborious and successful missionary pastor in a diffi- 
cult field, says : " I shall give you the impressions of 
an eye-witness regarding some of the most noteworthy 
features of the work of grace in Glasgow. Perhaps 
the most hopeful sign is, that one is hearing con- 
tinually of cases of awakening and conversion in out- 
of-the-way corners, and in connection with ordinary 



112 JESUS PASSING BY, 

agencies. Surprising tokens of the Spirit's power are 
now found in Sabbath-schools, Bible classes, and mis- 
sion meetings. The stream in the extraordinary 
channels is overflowing along the ordinary home 
channels. Two facts help to account for this. All 
the efforts of Messrs. Moody and Sankey have been 
in the closest alliance with, and thoroughly loyal to, 
existing agencies ; and the work may now be said 
to have been accepted as genuine by the catholic 
consent of the Evangelical Churches. 

" It seems to be generally admitted that the young 
men have had the largest share of the blessing. Their 
case from the very first was specially laid upon the 
hearts and consciences of the praying people. Our 
spiritual dead among the young men were carried 
forth like the dead son of the widow of JSTain. A 
widowed Church carried them forth with affectionate 
sorrow ; but not in despair, as Jesus of JSTazareth was 
passing by, and His fame was in the land. At His 
bidding she stood still, expecting His aid ; and many 
of our spiritual dead heard His life-giving word, and 
were restored as the crown and joy of the Church. I 
do not think that I have ever seen better religious 
meetings than some of those young men's meetings." 



PRAYER HEARD. 113 

The Eev. Dr. Wallace, of East Campbell Street 
United Presbyterian Church, Glasgow, an experienced 
pastor, and well entitled to speak on such a topic, 
writes : 

" ' The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof 
we are glad.' This is the spirit in which we regard 
the present blessed awakening, which God in His 
mercy has granted us during this precious time of 
visitation. Truly God has fulfilled His own promise : 
6 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee 
great and mighty things which thou knowest not.' 
Had we been told at the commencement of this year of 
the scenes which we have lately witnessed, — crowded 
prayer-meetings at noon, nighly prayer-meetings for 
young men, hundreds of anxious inquirers manifest- 
ing intense interest in the concerns of their souls; in 
short, had we been told that ere the spring time 
would come and pass away there would be such a 
fresh outburst of spiritual life, we should have felt 
inclined to say, as the prime minister of Israel did 
when Elisha prophesied that there would be plenty 
of food sold at the market price in the gate of Samaria 
within twenty-four hours, when the famine was sore 
in the land, ' Behold, if the Lord would make windows 



114 MR. BROWNLOW NORTH. 

in heaven, might this thing be ? ' It has leen / ' times 
of refreshing' have come, and unto God be all the 
glory and all the praise ! It is with a grateful heart 
that we place on record some of i the things which we 
have seen and heard. 5 " 

Mr. Brownlow North, a gentleman of property and 
eminent Christian zeal, who was many years ago 
formally set apart to the work of an evangelist by 
the Free Church, had come to Glasgow. Of his 
efforts, one of the Glasgow pastors gives this ac- 
count : 

" Mr. Brownlow North gave six addresses; and these 
were evidently much blessed to not a few. At sev- 
eral of these gatherings, which were thrown open, like 
the noonday meeting, for prayer and remarks, several 
young men stood up, and sweetly and humbly testified 
to the i blessing vjhich they had got? This has be- 
come a very significant phrase in these days. All our 
prayer-meetings have been thrown open, and with the 
very best results. Unction, brevity, variety are indis- 
pensable to a successful ' sweet hour of prayer.' Never 
have I had so many applicants for admission to the 
Lord's table for the first time as at this season ; but 
the spirit in which they express themselves is some- 



DUNDEE. 115 



thing still more satisfactory than mere numbers. God 
in mercy grant that the tide of blessing may deepen 
and spread throughout the whole land ! " 

Of the state of feeling in Dundee, Rev. A. H. Reid, 
of M'Cheyne Church, writes : 

" With much gratitude and thankfulness to our re- 
deeming God, we are able to report that the good 
work still goes on silently and unostentatiously. The 
Spirit is among us, not so much as the rushing, 
mighty wind, bearing down with violence all obsta- 
cles : nor even so much, perhaps, as the ' floods upon 
the dry ground,' but rather as the gentle summer 
rain, or the silently falling dew, ' that tarrieth not for 
man, nor waiteth for the sons of men.' Never was 
there less of everything approaching to excitement or 
extravagance ; so much so, that outside observers, 
who are not corning into personal contact with in- 
quirers and converts, can form no adequate idea of 
the depth and extent of the good that has been done. 

" A minister in the east end reported the other day 
at a meeting of his presbytery, i We are in the midst 
of a gracious revival, without the very least excite- 
ment? Many others could give similar testimony. 
Since our beloved brethren, Moody and Sankey, left 



116 AS THE DEW. 



us, evangelistic services have been held, generally for 
a week at a time, in many of the churches. These 
meetings have been addressed by ministers and lay- 
men, both from a distance and from the locality. The 
results in many instances have been most encourag- 
ing ; and were it prudent to do so, many sheets might 
be filled with records of individual cases of conver- 
sion. Suffice it to say, that old sinners grown hoary 
in sin, together with young men and young women 
in the bloom of opening life, as well as many little 
children, have felt the sharp arrows of the King 
in their hearts, and yielded to His scepter. Most of 
the cases of anxiety exhibited a considerable measure 
of deep conviction of sin, especially the sin of unbe- 
lief, and a desire to be saved not merely from hell, as 
the consequence of sin, but from sin itself in its 
dominion and power. 

" These special efforts have now for the most part 
given place again to the ordinary means of grace, — 
weekly prayer-meetings, Bible and young communi- 
cants' classes, pastoral visitation, etc. It is believed 
that the work will continue to go on in these ordi- 
nary channels. The influence of the movement on 
ministers, and on their ordinary ministrations, is very 



THE PLAIN WAY. 117 

marked. There is a power and liberty and joyf ulness 
in declaring the old, old story of the cross, as well as 
an eager attention and expectancy in listening to it, 
not felt before. In some cases, Saturday evening and 
Sabbath morning prayer-meetings for young men and 
young women (meeting separately) have been com- 
menced, with an encouraging attendance, for the spe- 
cial purpose of pleading for a blessing in connection 
with the Sabbath services. The consequence is, that 
Christians come up to the sanctuary with their mouths 
wide open, and they are filled abundantly by the Lord 
Himself. The attendance at the weekly prayer-meet- 
ings is in all cases (where the minister is favorable to 
the work) increased ; in some cases it has been doub- 
led, and even tripled. Many of the ministers have 
been inviting anxious ones to meet them in their 
vestries or houses, and not a few have taken advan- 
tage of the invitation to open up their difficulties. 

" One of the most striking evidences of the presence 
of the Spirit is the facility with which anxious ones 
are brought to see the simplicity of God's way of 
salvation, and to trust Christ as their Saviour. The 
very same truths which before seemed powerless to 
impart peace have, in many instances, only to be stated 



118 TONG UES LOOSED. 

in order to be received. Often have we seen- the 
smile of peace brightening up the countenance which, 
but a moment before, was sad and sorrowful on ac- 
count of sin, at the very time when we were setting 
before the soul the trustworthiness of the Saviour, 
the free offer of salvation to all, and the privilege and 
duty of an immediate acceptance of Christ. As we 
remarked, 'It seems just now so easy to be saved.' 

" Another token of God's presence is the readiness 
of multitudes of all classes to converse on spiritual 
matters. God's people especially have been drawn 
nearer to each other, and find their hearts refreshed 
in speaking to one another of the ' things touching 
the King. 5 Bible readings in private houses have been 
commenced, where Christians meet together for the 
study of God's Word. One of the most encouraging 
aspects of the work is the taste which has been created 
for the^ 'pure milk of the Word.' Many who were 
believers before testify that, under the fresh baptism 
of the Spirit which they have received, the Bible has 
become to them a new book altogether. The num- 
ber of applicants for admission to the Lord's table is 
very large. In one congregation in town there are 
between fifty and sixty." 



GLASGOW CON VENTION. 119 

A Convention in Glasgow was intended to wind 
up the series of meetings held by Messrs. Moody and 
Sankey for preaching the gospel. It was " a really 
successful gathering of thousands of Christian work- 
ers from all parts of the land and many parts of the 
world. There never was a meeting equal to it in our 
country for the numbers assembled, the variety of 
churches represented, and the earnest, practical tone 
and tendency displayed in the addresses. There 
were seven thousand tickets issued, and we think 
there were at least five thousand at one time in the 
i palace.' They came and went at all the different six 
hours. There were many there who, by their ap- 
pearance while Mr. Sankey sang or Mr. Moody spoke, 
gave one the impression that they were listening to 
them for the first time ; for they seemed to he enrapt 
infixed astonishment at the singing of the one and 
the speaking of the other." 

Mr. Moody answered many " miscellaneous practi- 
cal questions in a brief, practical way." As to a 
chairman at gospel meetings, Mr. Moody said : 
" I have noticed during the few months I have been 
here, that a great many meetings in Scotland 
have been just spoiled by some one taking the chair ; 



120 SABBATH-SCHOOL ROOMS 

and after a man has preached a most powerful sermon, 
the chairman got up and made some observations and 
offered some resolutions, and took the mind of the 
audience right away from the sermon. The man to 
close the meeting is the one who began it." 

" I do not see any objection to women working 
among their own sex. One woman in Mr. Spurgeon's 
church had six hundred women gathered together 
from the lanes and alleys of London, and it was 
a question whether she did not do more for these 
women than Mr. Spurgeon." 

" As to children, I would say, put up some decent 
buildings. Your rooms in Scotland are dirty, dark, 
and dingy ; and to sit on the hard seats in some of 
them is enough to make any one sick. I would have 
the seats low, so that the children's feet might touch 
the floor. I would have a lot of buildings erected for 
them : and there ought to be a hundred such build- 
ings in Glasgow — good, cheerful, pleasant buildings. 
Out of these mission schools, churches would grow. 

" As to young converts, what did the Master say to 
the man whom he dispossessed of the legion of devils ? 
' Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great 
things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had 



OPEN CONFESSION. * 121 

compassion on thee. And lie departed and began to 
publish in Decapolis (a region embracing ten cities), 
how great things Jesus had done for him, and all men 
did marvel.' That man went and told his friends in 
the whole town. If 1 get good news, I should not con- 
fine it to my wife and children, I should spread it. If 
I have been serving the devil publicly, why not con- 
fess Christ publicly ? We want a little more of that 
confession in the churches in Glasgow and Scotland. 
Some say they are afraid about it, and that these 
young converts should be taught before they teach. 
But the spirit of the gospel is get and give. Let these 
young friends go out and do the best they can. I 
believe if hundreds of young converts were setting to 
work they would do immense good. They must be 
guided ; if they make a mistake they should be told 
of it privately. Their mistakes should not be pub- 
lished abroad. Of course they will make some mis- 
takes. Since I have been a Christian I have made 
mistakes enough to keep me humble. If they did 
not make mistakes they might soon get full of spir- 
itual pride. Some men make only one mistake, and 
that is that they are so afraid of making a mistake 
that they never do anything.' 
6 



122 THE LAPSED MASSES. 

" As to the benefit of thoroughly educated minis- 
ters, I never saw a man that had too much education. 
But there is another side to that; if a man goes and 
sets up education in the place of Christ he will have 
a good deal to answer for. There was a great cry- 
that some men had got zeal without knowledge. But 
I would rather have zeal without knowledge than 
knowledge without zeal. Regularly trained minis- 
ters have their place, and it would be very foolish for us 
to quarrel with one another on that point. It would 
have been very foolish for Paul to have said to Peter : 
'Here, Peter, you are an unlearned fishei^man of 
Galilee : you have got zeal, but you have not got 
education. I have got a polished education; lam 
the man to preach/ God used them both." 

"As to the outlying masses, if this convention 
should go on fire with love for Christ, we should soon 
reach them. The spirit of Christianity is not to open 
churches and say, ' Come in and be saved,' but to go 
out and seek the lost. The spirit of the Son of God 
is to seek and save those who are lost. If they will 
not come to your nice churches, you should get some 
tents and go where the masses are. If I went to one 
of your lakes to fish and caught nothing, I should go 



TOTAL ABSTINENCE. 123 

to some other one where the fish were. Instead of 
preaching to empty pews, I would rather go out to 
the streets where the crowd is. Never mind the talk 
of your dinner parties but go out and work for Christ. 

" As to a Bible lecture on the Sabbath in place 
of one of our sermons, I do not see anything to hin- 
der it. I would suggest to some of our friends pres- 
ent just to try it. Ministers have got into the habit 
of using the Bible merely as a text-book, and then 
going over all Christendom after the sermon. Why 
do this ? One word that God says is worth a hun- 
dred of yours. It reminds me of a minister who, on 
going to church, lost his sermon, and who said to his 
congregation, 'I have lost my sermon, but I will read 
you two or three chapters of Job, and they are worth 
two of it.' 55 

The question of Total Abstinence is not on the 
same basis in Great Britain that it has reached here, 
but Mr. Moody spoke plainly : " I would rather have 
my right hand cut off than touch the stuff before my 
children. The friends that have been lost are so 
many as should rouse us to be as one man in sweep- 
ing the drink from our tables. If you want me to 
sign the pledge, I will take any pledge you may 



124 YOUNG MEN'S WANTS. 

bring ; I never touch drink, and never intend to do 
so. Now for the other side ! Some temperance men. 
make a grand mistake, and that is — they lug in the 
question every time they get the chance. Everything 
in its own place ! If I go to a prayer-meeting I do 
not want to hear temperance or the higher Christian 
life. There is a man who comes to our noon-day 
meetings; no matter what the subject is, he gets 
up and talks every day on the higher life. A 
friend, in going out of the meeting one day, said to 
me, 'I like a fiddle with a thousand strings, not with 
this one of higher life played on every day.' And so 
it is with temperance." 

As to the young men — " What is the work of the 
Young Men's Christian Association ? To look after 
these young men — not to get up lectures to them, not to 
have skeptics and infidels lecturing and dealing out to 
them, I was going to say, damnable stuff. They are 
infidels now if unsaved — give them the good, pure, 
gospel. They don't want lectures. They want 
Christ and let them have Christ. The world is per- 
ishing for the want of Christ, and what the young 
men of Glasgow or any other city want is the Son of 
God, not lectures and theology. That is all; and 



WOBKS. 125 



that is the only thing that will save them from a 
drunkard's grave." 

Such was the style in which practical themes were 
discussed by Mr. Moody ; and the Convention main- 
tained the same practical and earnest tone through- 
out. It included hundreds of representative men 
from every part of Scotland, and of every class and 
every denomination. Country gentlemen, large em- 
ployers, lawyers, college professors, and strangers 
from England, Ireland, and the Continent. Dr. Bu- 
chanan of Glasgow, of whom Scottish Christians are 
justly proud, fittingly opened the meeting with the 
One Hundredth Psalm and prayer, and Dr. Char- 
teris, Principal Fairbairn, who has since entered into 
rest, and many others took part. The closing scene 
of the day meeting (an evening meeting was called for 
and numbered five thousand persons,) was peculiarly 
impressive. Instead of further details, an estimate of 
the whole effort will interest the reader. 

At three o'clock all were ready for the last part of 
that day's programme. Dr. Andrew A. Bonar and 
Mr. Sankey, with his choir, sang " I am trusting, 
Lord, in Thee." 

Before commencing his lecture on " Works," Mr. 



126 CLOSING SCENES. 

Moody prayed again. He solemnly asked that " this 
the last hour that we should ever all spend together 
on earth, might be very memorable, and that the in- 
fluence of this convention might be felt on the 
shores of eternity. It is so easy for Thee, O God, to 
give blessing ! " His lecture was addressed to Chris- 
tians, telling what the saved were to do, not how to 
save themselves. As he drew to the close he said, 
u Napoleon I. once after a victory struck a medal 
with these words on it, ' I was there ! ' I shall soon 
leave Scotland, but I shall look to what has passed 
there for ever. I shall remember our meeting here, 
and the 16th day of April, 1874, and rejoice to say, 
'I was there.' But shall any of us stand before 
the throne with ' nothing but leaves ? ' It is hard to 
draw to a close. We must say good night ; but we 
shall meet in the morning." 

Mr. Somerville prayed, and after singing, " There's 
a land that is fairer than day," the benediction w r as 
pronounced, and this most memorable conference 
separated, every one blessing the Lord for that day's 
wonderful enjoyment. 

" The right tone was struck at once and maintained 
throughout, and the impression increased without in- 



GENERAL EFFECT. 127 

terruption from the beginning to the close. Invita- 
tions had been issued first to ministers and office- 
bearers, and then to the general public. * There were 
about two thousand ministers and office-bearers pres- 
ent, and the audience altogether numbered about five 
thousand. It was scarcely an exaggeration when Dr. 
Cairns said it was a meeting unparalleled in the his- 
tory of Scottish, perhaps of British, Christianity. 

" The external arrangements conduced greatly to 
the success. The meeting took place in the Kibble 
Crystal Palace, a very large and beautiful circular 
building in the Botanic Gardens. A platform for 
the accommodation of those who were to take a lead- 
ing part in the proceedings was erected opposite the 
entrance on the far-off side of the circle. The seats 
nearest the platform were occupied by ministers and 
office-bearers, while the outer circle of seats was occu- 
pied by the general public. Here and there in the 
building were large hothouse plants, and in front of 
the platform there was a beautiful bed of flowers. 
The weather was fine. 

" The first result of the meeting was the impression 
produced on those present, of which the principal 
elements probably were a fresher and larger concep- 



128 WIDENING AREA, 

tion of the dimensions and character of the work God 
has already done, an overmastering feeling of the 
nearness of the divine love and power, operative and 
available for further operations, and a sense of the 
duty of vigorously planning and laboring for the 
consolidation and promotion of the work in all direc- 
tions. But the impulses generated in the convention 
will no doubt spread and multiply themselves ; those 
who took part in it will communicate their impres- 
sions to others, and new vigor and enlightenment 
may be looked for in all evangelistic operations 
in the "West." The Convention was the close of the 
evangelists' labors in Glasgow. 

The Times of Blessing, a weekly journal devoted to 
the spread of good tidings, thus speaks on April 30, 
1874 : " The work continues to spread and deepen on 
all hands. Edinburgh and Glasgow are of course the 
great centers, and probably the movement is most 
intense in and around them. At Leith, Dalkeith, 
Portobello, Linlithgow, Musselburgh, Kirkcaldy, 
Dunfermline, Bathgate, West Calder, and at Greenock, 
Paisley, Chryston, Douglas, and many other places 
within their immediate influence, it has been strongly 
felt. But it is by no means confined to the central 



EXPECT A TIOJSTS RAISED. 129 

districts. The news of what has been doing in them 
has spread everywhere, and awakened interest and 
expectation in the remotest places. The result of this 
has been united prayer on the part of God's people, 
and the putting forth, of special efforts, which success 
seems everywhere to follow. From the Orkney and 
Shetland Islands requests for prayer have been sent 
to Edinburgh, not unaccompanied with thanksgivings 
for blessings received ; and the hymns which have 
been in so many places the precursors of revival are 
already popular in these islands. Elgin is the center 
of a work extending over all the southern coast of the 
Moray Firth. Similarly, Aberdeen is the focus of an 
extensive movement. The impulse given by the 
visit of Messrs. Moody and Sankey to Dundee has 
continued to propagate itself both in that town and 
elsewhere in Forfar and Fife. All through the cen- 
tral counties special meetings have been held, and the 
anticipated results, while nowhere entirely wanting, 
have in many cases been of the most extraordinary kind. 
In the southeastern counties the visits of Messrs. 
Moody and Sankey to Melrose and Berwick, as well 
as the constant news from Edinburgh, excited a spirit 
of awakening everywhere. Reports of blessing re- 
6* 



130 BROTHERL Y LOVE. 

ceived at several places in Argyllshire were given in 
at the Free Synod of that county, and every day 
brings the most cheering news from new places in the 
west." 

The Rev. "W". Arnot, now well known in this coun- 
try, expressed, at this stage of the movement, his de- 
liberate opinion in the valuable monthly of which he 
is the editor, the point of view at which he looks at it 
being its promotion of true Catholicity. 

"For some years past, until May of last year, a dis- 
tressing internal war has raged among us in regard to 
union. Although a flood had passed over the land 
these differences could not have been more completely 
swept away. Men have been lifted up nearer to 
Christ, and they have, to their surprise, found them- 
selves much closer to one another. The tone of the 
conference was tender, and humble, and devout, and 
brotherly in a degree far exceeding anything within 
the experience of the eldest of us. There was not a 
jarring note. The meeting threw light for me on the 
Lord's meaning when he said, 'Except ye receive the 
kingdom as a little child, ye shall not enter it.' 
"When great warrior men are melted down by the 
Spirit into little babes, they seem to get into the 



LABORERS WANTED. 131 

kingdom more easily than when they inarch against 

each other with their armor on. The meeting was 

too short. The mind of the brethren seemed to be — 

* I liaye been there, and still would go ; 
'Tis like a little heaven below.' 

"A similar spirit is spreading in many parts of 
Scotland. Some who, in the various country towns 
and villages, c wait for the consolation of Israel,' come 
over to Edinburgh, and attend the noon meeting for 
a day or two. When these return they communicate 
with their friends. An evangelistic union meeting is 
arranged; a demand reaches Edinburgh for one or 
more to come over and help; and so this new fiery 
cross is carried from mountain ridge to mountain 
ridge, summoning the clans to the standard of the 
Prince of peace. Great labor falls on those who are 
able-bodied as well as spiritually qualified ; but if the 
work is severe, the joy is like the joy of harvest, and 
they do not feel the burden." 

Of the Convention the Rev. A. Somerville, who 
has since been suffered to carry much blessing to 
India, thus wrote: 

" Such a day I have never seen ! I almost fear to 
put my thoughts in writing, lest I should seem to 



132 «AS MEN THAT DBEAMED." 

exaggerate. It is only by degrees, and as I come in 
contact with individuals, since the meeting, that I 
find that the feelings of others correspond with my 
own. I can only say that it was to some of us as one 
of 'the days of heaven upon the earth. 5 It is impos- 
sible, by means of any printed report of what was 
spoken, to convey an idea of the power, sweetness — 
aye, blessedness, which pervaded the vast assembly. 
We may reproduce the utterances on paper; these are 
like the visible body, but who can reproduce the soul 
that animated the words ? The persons who were 
fortunate enough to be present from first to last were 
those most thrilled with sensibility; and this simply 
from the fact that the longer the time the deeper did 
the intensity of emotion become. 

" The Spirit of the Lord seemed to descend, and to 
set in tuneful vibration the heart-strings of thousands. 
An indescribable consciousness of heavenly things 
being near, and of our susceptibilities being in har- 
mony with these, held us as in a delicious dream, 
while yet all our mental faculties were in full strain. 

" It is not to be supposed, however, that there was 
merely indulgence in sentiment, or that our expe- 
rience resembled enjoyment from listening to the 



LORD ARDMILLAN. 133 

concord of musical sounds. No ; the speeches through- 
out the day were manly, unaffected, practical, and 
thoroughly to the point." 

If it be supposed that clergymen are predisposed 
to regard a religious movement with confidence, the 
same cannot be said of the legal mind, accustomed 
as it is to weigh evidence. We subjoin, therefore, 
the testimony of the Hon. Lord Ardmillan, one of the 
judges, and well known in literary circles, who, in 
the course of a public address, said : 

"No candid and intelligent observer can doubt that 
there has been, and still is, a great work of God in 
the midst of us — a work of awakening, of compunc- 
tion, of revival, and of conversion. A great blessing 
has followed the labors of our friends from America 
and those who have aided them, and it is, we hope, 
spreading and deepening. But the work is not of 
man — it is of grace, and, therefore, of God ; and men, 
even the most earnest and able, are but instruments 
in God's hands. None accept this truth more unre- 
servedly than Mr. Moody and Mr. Sankey, whose 
ministrations have been so greatly blessed, and I 
think it is a hopeful characteristic of this movement, 
of which I speak from personal observation at many 



134: FAITHFUL PASTORS. 

meetings, that there has been so little self-exaltation, 
and so much sobriety." 

There was good reason for Christian laborers to re- 
joice, not only in what they saw, but in what they 
felt. "The servants that drew the vjater Jcnew. At 
Cana neither the mother of our Lord, nor guests, nor 
bridegroom, saw the miracle. No eyes but Christ's 
and the servants' saw it. The servants drew, the ser- 
vants filled, the servants bare that water, that wine." 

In Scotland, wrote Mrs. Barbour, on the 7th of 
May (1874) : " Our pastors have ever been deemed 
worthy of double honor ; but now the Chief Shepherd 
is sealing this ordinance in the sight of all men with 
His royal stamp. It is no stranger who watches the 
sheep and lambs as they pass from the outer into the 
inner fold, although such strangers were received, 
coming in the Master's name, as the Master Himself. 
It is the same faithful men who have dispensed the 
word of truth for the last twenty, thirty, and forty 
years among us who speak the word that sets the cap- 
tive free." 

Rev. Mr. Talon (Episcopalian) bore testimony thus : 
" Can we ever tell what we owe to having been 
brought within these walls ? I, for one, shall never for- 



" B1GHTE0 USNESS." 135 

get the first look I got of the vast multitude from 
yonder door. As I looked down, and could not get 
admission, I yet heard a few words, from whom I 
know not, but I turned away and wept. And since 
then I have never come but to be blest. Coming in 
flurried with care, peace has calmed my spirit. 
Coming in sad, how inspiring have been the glad 
songs of praise ! Coming in discouraged, the tidings 
of His power and presence manifested in so many 
parts of the land, have made me take courage. I 
have been blessed in my soul, blessed in my family, 
blessed in my flock ; and so will all who come hither, 
looking only to Jesus. It might not occur to us to 
give the same reason which Paul gave for the gospel's 
being the power of God unto salvation. We might 
have said it was from his mercy being revealed. 
Paul says it is from the revelation of God's righteous- 
ness. And this is free to all — puts all on a level down 
in the dust. One has said that God seeks his jewels 
in the dust." 

We must, for the present, take leave of these stir- 
ring scenes in Glasgow, to follow the steps of the 
evangelists to other and less conspicuous fields of 
labor. But before doing so it is with pleasure we 



136 REFORMED SYNOD, 

place on record a testimony which connects this work 
and our own land in a very pleasing manner. 

THE MODERATOR OF THE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD 
ON THE AWAKENING. 

The Moderator, in bringing the business of the 
Synod to a close, said : 

" The remarkable religious awakening that has taken place in 
our chief cities, and over much of our country, was most fitly 
the first subject that came before us. The details given by eye- 
witnesses among us of its blessed results sent into all our hearts 
a thrill of gratitude to God. Praise, that in too many districts of 
Scotland has been little esteemed and slovenly performed, has 
been felt by multitudes to have had quite a new character given 
to it, and the abundant calls to its performance in the Word of 
God have received a fullness of meaning that many of us had 
not previously realized. And one lesson taught by this remark- 
able awakening to us who are in the ministry of the gospel is to 
have faith in the divinely-appointed means, and to prepare for, 
and to act in, the preaching of Christ crucified, in the full confi- 
dence that it is the mode by which men, whether Jews or 
Greeks, are to be brought to see in Christ the power of God and 
the wisdom of God. It would be unpardonable, in speaking of 
this movement, not to own that while there has been a prepared- 
ness in many hearts for its coming among us, it has, under God, 
been largely fostered and spread over our country by the remark- 
able labors, unweary, untiring, and in full faith in the Divine 
power to change the hearts of men, of the American evangelists, 
Messrs. Moody and Sankey. These gentlemen in leaving our 
shores will carry with them the gratitude of many thousands of 



BONDS OF UNION. 137 

the best of our countrymen. And it Is not too much, to say that 
they have given a new delightful association to pious Scotchmen 
with the name of America, and*have tended to rivet the bonds 
of peace and love between the United States and this kingdom — 
bonds which we pray the Prince of Peace will never suffer to be 
broken/' 



CHAPTEK IV. 

THE WORK IN THE COUNTRY TOWNS OF SCOTLAND. 

Before following the American laborers to the 
less important towns of Scotland, it will be proper 
to take note of the public declarations made concern- 
ing their work after it had been studied in the two 
great centers of Edinburgh and Glasgow. The Pres- 
byterian system of church administration brings 
ministers and elders together and affords opportunity 
for free expression of opinion. The meetings of 
Synods and Assemblies came just at this time, and 
official reports and addresses made therein had great 
weight over the country. 

The Free Church moderator devoted one third of 
his opening address to the awakening. He said : — 
" At the very time when the proposal of an incorpo- 
rating union with brethren of other churches seemed 
to be relegated to a far distant future — when an 
answer to the many prayers that ' we all might be 
one, even as the Father and the Son are one/ seemed 



HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. 139 

to be withheld — when pseudo-philosophers, with pro- 
fane levity, were proposing a prayer gauge, to test 
the efficacy of prayer — the Lord manifested Himself 
as a faithful and a jealous God — -jealous for His own 
glory and faithful to His promises — as the hearer 
and answerer of prayer, by pouring out a blessed and 
copious effusion of His Holy Spirit upon our land, 
whereby many have been converted and saved, and a 
most solemn impression has been produced upon the* 
minds of men of all ranks and degrees. The result 
of this blessed visitation has been the healing of 
breaches among beloved brethren, and the producing 
such union of heart and co-operation among the godly 
and earnest-minded laborers in all our churches as 
warrant the hope of union on a broader basis than 
we had dreamt of. 

" It has pleased God to make use of two strangers 
from the other side of the Atlantic as the instru- 
ments through whom the spiritual awakening which 
has gladdened, and still is gladdening, many parts of 
Scotland, broke forth ; and readily and heartily, I 
am sure, we are ready to render all due honor to be- 
loved brethren whom the Lord Himself has honored 
— but, at the same time, we must not lose sight of 



140 BAPTISM OF FIRE. 

the fact, that by these conferences in our assemblies 
on the state of religion, by the deputations sent down 
to visit the various Presbyteries with the same object 
in view, and by increasing prayer and spiritual effort 
on the part of the ministers, elders, deacons, and 
other godly laymen, the ground had already been 
prepared, the good seed had been copiously sown, 
and all that was wanting was that ' God should give 
the increase.' Blessed be the Lord our God, for He 
hath given the increase, and many of you, beloved 
brethren, who for many a year * went forth weeping, 
bearing your precious seed, have at last returned re- 
joicing, bringing your sheaves with you.' 

" Rev. fathers and brethren, there is still another 
aspect in which it seems to me we should regard the 
blessed work of the Holy Spirit, in awakening and 
reviving the Churches of our land at this time, and 
that is in the light of ' baptism with fire ' ere times of 
trouble come, ere we are called c to contend earnestly 
for the faith once delivered to the saints.' In look- 
ing back upon the history of the Church of Christ, 
we can trace many instances in which such i times of 
refreshing from the presence of the Lord ' were the 
preludes to seasons of warfare and distress, of storm 



WORK STUDIED. 141 

and tempest, when men's hearts were ready to fail them 
through fear, and many made shipwreck of their 
faith. Surely this is one aspect in which we may re- 
gard the outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the day of 
Pentecost, for scarcely had its blessed effects been 
felt, than persecution of the infant Church began. 
The outpouring of the Spirit and remarkable awaken- 
ing that accompanied the great Reformation of the 
sixteenth century was at once the prelude to cen- 
turies of persecution and martyrdom, and the prepa- 
ration of God's people for resisting unto blood, 
striving against sin." 

The United Presbyterian Synod includes and rep- 
resents a large and zealous body of Scottish Chris- 
tians, whose labors have effected much in the land. 
The moderator made reference to the awakening in 
the following terms : — " There is no part of the 
Synod's proceedings that has been so interesting 
alike to yourselves and the Christian public, as the 
conference on the great religious revival and on evan- 
gelistic work. While some brethren were perplexed 
by honest difficulties which explanation removed, and 
while on the part of none of us was there any dispo- 
sition shown to give a blind and unqualified approval 



14:2 SYNODICAL ACTION. 

to everything that had been done or spoken, there 
was soon manifested a universal readiness to acknowl- 
edge in the present awakening a blessed reality, and 
to recognize in it with adoring gratitude the work of 
the Holy Spirit. There was a tone of glad and 
solemn interest, an eagerness for information and for 
practical suggestions, and an earnest desire that the 
blessing might spread like a lustral fire over the land. 
The hearts of the brethren beat warmly and in unison. 
The comprehensive and thorough nature of the 
measures recommended by the Synod — in the send- 
ing of deputations to presbyteries, the issuing of a 
pastoral address, and the exhortation to every minis- 
ter and session to seek revival in themselves and in 
their flocks, and then to make their churches the center 
of an earnest evangelism to the regions around them — 
proves how much the Synod has become of one heart 
and one soul in this mighty movement. If the in- 
junctions of the Synod are carried out with prayer- 
ful and persevering energy, in all our congregations, 
from Shetland to the Mull of Galloway, and from 
Berwick to Brighton, it will be a blessed year for our 
Church; many a full net will be brought to land, 
and long before another Synod meets, the cry will 



RETURNING REFRESHED. 143 

have gone up from many a congregation, ' And now, 
O Lord, we thank and praise Thy glorious name.' " 
At the conclusion of the address, allusion is again 
made to the subject : — " 'No doubt many of us will go 
away with the recollection of the solemn death-roll 
which was read at the commencement of our meet- 
ings sounding in our ears, and with the sad feeling 
that not a few of us shall be missed when the time 
of our next great annual gathering returns ; and 
therefore the call is loud to all of as to ' work, work 
in the living present. 5 But 1 trust there is another 
feeling in our minds, that we have been refreshed, 
as the pious Jews may be imagined to have been re- 
freshed after a great passover-meeting in Jerusalem, 
and that we go back to our manses and our homes with 
the consciousness that there is a cloud of blessing hang- 
ing over our land, and with the purpose that by im- 
portunate prayer and corresponding effort we shall 
endeavor to attract to ourselves, our congregations, 
and our neighborhoods, a large portion of the descend- 
ing showers. If this is the spirit with which we 
separate, it requires no prophet to foretell that many 
a time throughout the land during the coming months 
shall those words be spoken. ' Jesus Christ being by 



144 A HAPPY CHANGE. 

the right hand of Grod exalted, and having received 
of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, hath 
shed forth this which ye now see and hear. 5 " 

For zeal, good sense, sanctified imagination, and 
power to interest, no man is more valued in Scotland 
than the Rev. W. Arnot, of the Free High Church, in 
Edinburgh. As a delegate to the English Presby- 
terian Church, he gave a most characteristic account 
of Scottish religious life, as it had been affected by 
recent events. The report is condensed : 

" The country has been greatly moved," he said, 
"during this last winter and spring. Questions 
regarding Christ's love, in coming to save us, re- 
garding His kingdom in the world, and our own 
union with Him, have been forced up, and have risen 
higher in the common conversation of the streets and 
companies, than the question of what must I eat and 
what must I drink. There has been a strange change 
in this respect, and yet no change of principle. 

" We have always been in Scotland, and especially in 
Edinburgh, a Christianly educated people, and, on the 
whole, a well-behaved and sober people. I will tell 
you what I once heard from a railw T ay guard, which 
illustrates my meaning. "We were hindered at a 



DIRECT PEE A GRINO. 145 

station in Fife. The hour was past for the train to 
start, and nobody could think what was the reason of 
the delay. A gentleman said, ' Guard, what is the 
reason you are not starting ? Is there no water \ ' 
i Plenty o' water, 5 he replied, 'but it's no bilin.' 
So we had had a religious education, and a certain 
stateliness of ecclesiastical form amongst us in Scot- 
land, but the water was cold, and it did not give forth 
much power ; and the difference now is, that there 
has come warmth into it. The love of Christ seems 
to have got hold of multitudes of human hearts, and 
is constraining them. 

" Let me notice one or two points in which there 
has been great advancement. One is, that in preach- 
ing, both in public and in private conversation in our 
inquiry-meetings, there is a great deal more practical 
application of the truth to each individual soul. I read, 
when Philip met the Ethiopian in the desert, in the 
short report of the sermon on that occasion, two 
things, ' He preached unto him Jesus. ' We had one 
of these things as fully in Scotland, I think, before, as 
to-day. We 6 preached Jesus.' But we failed on the 
other side — i to him, Jesus.' God has greatly blessed 
the efforts of the American evangelists on that point. 
7 



146 JOY IN GOD. 



And nobody takes it ill when you speak personally to 
him about sin, and his interest in Christ. Everybody 
seems rather to expect that we will so speak to 
them. 

" Formerly we seemed to have fired away our shot, 
and did it not give a crack when it went away ? and 
we thought, ' Have not we done it well ? ' But did 
it hit the mark ? We did not think so much of that, 
but now equal attention is paid to both. That is one 
grand mark of our movement. 

" We did not change our creed at all. I hold by that 
still. But there is one notion that seems to have been 
changed and overturned. Formerly, for the most 
part, in Scotland, we were of the persuasion that 
Christ came to receive saints, but now we have be- 
come convinced that ' this Man receiveth sinners.' 

"Of the leading characteristics of the movement one 
was joy. Many people, who were dull enough, with 
Christianity in their hearts, but with no outlet for it 
in their lives, were now finding ways of doing good. 
This was specially shown in the preaching of the gos- 
pel to the poor. Then there was a great use made of 
sacred song. Many of the Christian ladies now em- 
ployed the interval between the hours of public wor- 



ENEMIES A T PEA CM 147 

ship on Sunday, in going to the hospitals and similar 
institutions in Edinburgh, and singing hymns to the 
poor patients, and there was no joy like that of see- 
ing the faces of these people when the gospel was sung 
to them. In one of these institutions there was a poor 
old woman, who had been there eleven years, and 
during that time had never spoken one word. Not 
that she was dumb in the ordinary sense, but she was 
stricken with a sort of paralysis. After one of these 
singings, the matron heard her saying something to 
herself. She went near and listened, and she was 
saying— 

'Depths of mercy, can there be 
Mercy yet in store for me ? ' 

"A little girl was stricken with fever, and taken to 
the children's hospital, where she died. In her de- 
lirium, she said, and continued saying, ' Take me to 
the meeting, and set me in the 'front seat that I may 
hear the ladies sing ! ' 

" Another remarkable effect was that the enemy is 
almost silent. There was, here and there, a spirit of 
criticism, such as the i Comic Gospel ' of the Satur- 
day Review ', but generally the press is either silent 
or speaking of the work and reporting it respectfully. 



148 INCIDENTAL DANGER. 

The Lord hath done this thing for us, whereof we are 
glad." 

In the Established Church Assembly, the notices of 
the awakening from the lips of the Rev. Dr. Char- 
teris, and of the Eev. Marshall Lang, successor to Dr. 
Norman Macleod, were explicit and cordial. They 
both adverted to a danger apprehended from the out- 
set, and of which some notice had been taken in the 
official reports on Christian life and work. Dr. Char- 
teris said " that, in regard to the remarkable events of 
the past few months the committee turned with special 
expectation to the returns from Edinburgh and Glas- 
gow, in which cities so remarkable an interest in 
Divine things had been recently manifested. An 
Edinburgh minister, a member of the Committee, had 
stated that the experience of nearly five months, since 
his report was written, had been the happiest and most 
blessed that he had had in his ministry. The only evil 
pointed out in those reports was the tendency to 
Plymouthism. The attraction which Plymouth] sm 
offered to young converts was its claim to being a pure 
Church. In the ardor of their first faith and love 
those young converts looked for some Church without 
the stains which came from long contact with the 



FORCE UTILIZED, 149 

world, and they often found in the small sect in ques- 
tion a claim to spotlessness which drew them towards 
it in a wonderful degree. If it could be shown dis- 
tinctly that the older denominations, if not, indeed, of 
spotless purity, could claim to be ruled by the spirit 
of the loving Redeemer, and to afford means of use- 
fulness to all, they would rob that deceptive heresy of 
its chief est charm, and keep within their own congre- 
gations those whom they were always most loath to 
lose ; for it was the very salt of their flocks of which 
Plymouthism sought to rob them. Every one was 
aware of the extraordinary revivals in religion which 
had been manifested in Glasgow and Edinburgh dur- 
ing the past winter and spring, and the committee 
were bound to state that all the returns which had 
been sent in, giving the results of personal observa- 
tion of that movement, spoke favorably of it, with 
one single exception." 

Rev. Dr. Lang said that he knew from the experi- 
ence of the past five weeks that Plymouthism was not 
an imaginary danger, and the only way of checking it 
was just by welcoming and utilizing all the enthu- 
siasm that was kindled in the hearts of the young men 
of the Church. Concerning the spiritual and religious 



150 ABOUNDING FRUIT. 

movement that has lately been made in the land, he 
knew that he was touching a subject of considerable 
delicacy, but he could not read, the answers without 
feeling satisfied that there was a very distinct and 
memorable movement during the past year. He had 
had the privilege of taking part from the very begin- 
ning in the work which God had so highly honored, 
and with which were associated the names of the two 
American brethren who had come amongst them. He 
would ask the house to think respectfully of that 
work. It was very difficult for any one who had not 
been in direct personal relations with it to estimate or 
understand it. " This I can say, that, having been con- 
nected with the work in Glasgow from the very first 
day of it to the end, I can feel that there have been — 
and on the floor of the house I am not ashamed to say 
it — many tokens that God has indeed been blessing 
the work. I could tell of much in proof of this. 
I know that Glasgow has been in many of its homes 
more joyous for the last two or three months, and that 
in many an old wilderness and solitary place there are 
now the peaceable and blessed fruits of righteousness. 
I don't know how you have felt, fathers and brethren, 
but I have felt during the past year as if there were 



A PROPHET AT HOME. 151 

an increased quickening of the whole spiritual forces 
of our land, a readiness to receive the gospel, a long- 
ing to come into closer communion with the truth as 
it is in Jesus." 

Concurrently with these testimonies in Scotland, 
the Scottish Deputation to the American Churches, 
reaching Chicago, visited Mr. Moody's Tabernacle 
there, and made their report to the churches at home, 
removing every shade of doubt as to the estimation 
in which the American prophets were held " in their 
own country." 

u "We were much interested," wrote the Rev. J. H. 
"Wilson, " in coming to the field of Mr. Moody's 
labors. We have met with many of the best Chris- 
tian people of the place, ministers and laymen, and 
we have heard but one opinion expressed, — of entire 
confidence and affectionate regard. All speak of his 
wonderful energy and zeal and devotedness, and of 
the great results that have attended his labors. They 
long to have him back again, and are following him 
during his absence with their prayers. Only the 
basement story of his tabernacle is erected as yet. 
It consists of a large hall, and an admirable suite of 
rooms for classes, etc. I conducted the ordinary 



152 SMALLER TOWNS. 

Sabbath forenoon service, which was attended by a 
large congregation. In the afternoon we returned to 
his Sabbath-school, at which nine hundred or a thou- 
sand Sabbath scholars, old and young, were present. 
We met many of Mr. Moody's friends and fellow- 
workers, who are earnest and zealous like himself. 
If the building were completed, I have no doubt it 
will be a great center for evangelistic work in the 
city. There is much work for our brother to do 
here ; and when he has done his work in our land, he 
cannot be back a day too soon. He is claimed by the 
whole Christian community here, just as he is in 
Scotland, and the door seems open for him every- 
where. All over the country we have met with many 
most attractive Christian people. If America is true 
to herself, she will occupy a foremost place in the 
evangelization of the world." 

In the meantime the smaller towns were being vis- 
ited, with results which, without burdening the mem. 
ory of the reader with order and details, we shall 
state as they were reported at the time by highly 
esteemed brethren, whose words commanded the con- 
fidence of the community. 



KILMARNOCK. 153 



At ISTeilston, a town of four thousand six hundred 
inhabitants, nine miles from Glasgow, a meeting was 
held in the evening in the parish church, which was 
crowded in every part. A remarkable instance of 
the spirit of unity this revival has produced was 
afforded in the fact that while the established church 
minister presided, two others, the Rev. Mr. Ferguson, 
of the Free Church, and Eev. Mr. Clarke, of the 
United Presbyterian Church, Barrhead, took part in 
the service. This is much the same as if in England 
a Baptist and Methodist minister were to take part in 
a Church of England service simultaneously with the 
rector. Souls were quickened and converted. At 
the after meeting, which was held in the Free Church, 
upwards of three hundred met together as inquirers 
after the way of salvation ; and some were enabled 
to express the belief that they there passed from 
death to life. A choir of ladies from Glasgow as- 
sisted Mr. Sankey in the singing. 

In the Free Church Assembly at Edinburgh on 
May 26th, Sheriff Campbell said that the news from 
Ayrshire was very encouraging. The town of Kil- 
marnock, for which they had been praying much, had 

been visited by Messrs. Moody and Sankey, who did 

7* 



154 SALTCOATS. 



not take any part in the ordinary worship ; but they 
had evangelistic meetings, and the result of these, 
and other meetings from the overflow of these con- 
gregations, was that they had upwards of two hun- 
dred inquirers in the inquiry-room. He was there 
amongst them and he never saw more promising 
cases of conversion. Those whom he spoke to were 
from fifteen to twenty-five years of age, and some 
older. All, as far as he could see, were persons who 
were most deeply impressed, and all that he spoke to 
before they parted said that they had given themselves 
to Christ. 

At Saltcoats arrangements were made for holding 
three services, the first in the parish church (Rev. D. 
E. M'Nab's) at four o'clock, afternoon ; also in the 
same place at seven o'clock, evening ; and in the 
North Church at the same hour. 

At the afternoon service, admission to which was 
by ticket, the church was comfortably filled an 
hour before the time for opening the meeting. Large 
numbers of persons continued to arrive, who made 
their way into the building and through the passages, 
evidently satisfied to obtain even standing room. 
Every inch of space in the sacred edifice was packed 



COME AND HELP. 155 

long prior to four o'clock, and probably there never 
was assembled so large a congregation in any church 
in Saltcoats. A considerable number were unable to 
obtain admission. A large number of persons had 
come from the towns and villages in the district to 
attend the services. 

The inhabitants of Irvine, which contains a popula- 
tion of eight thousand, having heard of the presence 
of the American evangelists in their neighborhood, 
hastened to send a deputation to them in Saltcoats 
on Monday, to solicit the holding of at least one ser- 
vice by them in the parish church at Irvine. With 
this entreaty Messrs. Moody and Sankey complied. 
They arrived on their visit, which may well be described 
as a flying one, in time for meeting at twelve, noon. 
There was a large attendance in the church, although 
a more unfortunate day could not have been chosen, 
as the streets were full of conveyances, and furniture, 
and excited individuals, it being Term day, or Flit- 
ting day, for the change of residences. 

Ayr, a town of nineteen thousand inhabitants, forty 
miles from Glasgow, was next reached. The meeting 
was at four p. m., in the Old Church, a fine old com- 
modious building, which was filled an hour beforehand 



156 BEV. MB. LEITCR. 

by a great audience of about two thousand people, 
comprising many of the leading persons of the neigh- 
borhood. Many were unable to gain admission from 
want of room. A number of ministers of all denom- 
inations were present, some having come a distance 
of thirty miles. It is remarkable how the co-opera- 
tion of the clergy has been everywhere given to these 
evangelists. The interval of waiting between three 
and four p. m., was occupied by the reading of por- 
tions of Scripture, and by prayer by some of the min- 
isters. A very efficient choir sang extremely well 
some of Mr. Sankey's hymns. The large audience 
manifested marked anxiety to see the expected visit- 
ors from America, by keeping their vision concen- 
trated on the vestry door, but kept their seats and 
maintained a proper demeanor. 

After entering the church, accompanied by many 
clergymen, Mr. Moody gave out the One Hundredth 
Psalm, which was sung congregational^. He then 
prayed; and the hymn " Once for all" was then sung 
by Mr. Sankey, with great feeling and expression — 
the words being heard clearly in the most distant part 
of the church. Mr. Moody's discourse followed. 

Of the visit to Kilmarnock, the Eev. Mr. Leitch 



WORKERS EN CO JJRA GED. 157 

writes, " Their coming was eagerly looked for, and 
many a prayer was offered that they might come in 
the fullness of the blessing of the gospel. They held 
three meetings during the day—all apart from the 
ordinary church services. In the morning, at half- 
past eight, a special meeting was held for office- 
bearers and other church workers in the Low Church. 
Admission was by ticket, and 1,750 were present. 
Mr. Sankey, accompanied by a number of ladies, led 
the service of song : his singing was fraught with 
great power, and produced deep impression. Mr. 
Moody spoke on the words ' Occupy till I come,' di- 
recting particular attention to the ' feeding of the 
lambs.' Seldom has any audience been more im- 
pressed : for more than an hour he held them spell- 
bound as he discoursed on Christian work. Many a 
heart and conscience must have been stirred as he ex- 
horted his hearers to work for the Master. When it 
is remembered that the large audience was composed 
of workers not only from Kilmarnock, but from dis- 
tricts miles distant from town, it will at once be 
seen that the influence of such a meeting will be far- 
reaching and widespread." 

At Irvine next day the church was full, though it 



158 AYR. 

was term day, and though the intimation of their 
coming was given but a few hours before. As 
the brethren were on their way to Ayr, they could 
not tarry for an after-meeting, but the ministers of 
the town arranged to have a united meeting in the 
evening. 

Of Ayr, the Rev. John Miller, Newton-on-Ayr, 
reports : u In the month, of February we were fa- 
vored with a visit from Sheriff Campbell and Mr. 
Brown Douglas of Edinburgh; and to the solemn 
accounts which, they gave of the work in the city, not 
a little of the impulse given to the cause is due. 
Subsequent visits by Mr. Mossman and a deputation 
from the young men's committee in Edinburgh, to- 
gether with occasional addresses by the Sheriff, pro- 
duced blessed and widespread results. 

" On Tuesday, 26th May (1874), Messrs. Moody and 
Sankey visited the town. Great interest had been 
excited, and from all the districts round multitudes 
came in hope of hearing them. The Old Church — 
the largest in town — was selected, and long before 
the hour of meeting was densely packed. About 
eighteen hundred people must have been present. 
Shortly after the hour Mr. Moody arrived, and gave an 



" HOUSEHOLDS APART:' 159 

intensely interesting address. From beginning to end 
the deepest solemnity pervaded the meeting, while not 
a few were melted to tears. An effect no less striking 
was produced by Mr. Sankey's singing ; and as we 
left the building, it was with the f nil conviction that 
the Lord had been with us of a truth. 

" In the evening, at seven o'clock, the same building 
was crowded again — Mr. Moody delivering a still 
more powerful address. For the overflow, Cathcart 
Street United Presbyterian Church was opened, and 
an address of a telling nature delivered by Rev. Mr. 
Sloan of Aberdeen. All who wished to be spoken 
to about spiritual things were requested to go to the 
Free Church, and the meeting was closed. Great 
care was taken to allow no one to enter save as an 
anxious inquirer, and it was found that upwards of 
one hundred and fifty had come in. 

" One marked feature of the work is the number of 
Christian families into which the blessing has come. 
Of course this was looked for, but the extent to 
which it prevails has far surpassed all expectation. 
In some families there are four who profess to have 
received a blessing, in several three, in others two, 
and so on ; while in a few, every member of the 



160 STIRLING. 



household professes to have found the Saviour. ' Oh, 
sir,' said one to me the other day, ' this is- a changed 
house now. We used to think that if we went to 
church and read our Bibles, and taught the little girl 
to say her prayers, it was all right. But oh, sir, all 
that is changed now.' " 

The historic town of Stirling, picturesque, active, 
and for many years identified with a useful Tract 
enterprise, conducted by Mr. P. Drummond, was next 
approached. How natural is the state of things here 
described : 

" The Erskine United Presbyterian Church was 
crowded long before the advertised time of com- 
mencement. As is frequently the case at the first 
meeting in a place, curiosity rather than a serious 
interest predominated. This can hardly be blamed 
on the part of those who have heard and read so 
much of the American evangelists, and are at first 
anxious to ascertain what manner of persons they are. 
There was an observable change from the commence- 
ment of the meeting. The gates were locked after 
the church was filled, and the overflow directed to 
Mr. Goldie's (Free South) Church. "While Mr. San- 
key sang some of his most impressive hymns, ' Almost 



PERTH, 161 

persuaded/ and the new ' There were ninety-and 
nine/ there was the hushed attention which showed 
not mere artistic gratification, but deep heart feeling. 
Mr. Moodj T preached an hour on 'Ye must be born 
again,' and riveted the audience. The service was 
conducted* in the other church by Rev. Mr. Park- 
hurst, from Chicago, then traveling in Europe. 
There was a fair after meeting at nine o'clock in the 
smaller church. Many of the inquirers seemed 
clearly to make their peace with Grod." 

The noon prayer-meeting in Dr. Beith's church, 
presided over by Mr. Parkhurst, and Mr. Moody's 
Bible-reading to an immense audience in the Erskine 
Church at three o'clock on Thursday, closed the ser- 
vices in Stirling. 

Perth, Aberdeen, and Inverness are the northern 
capitals of Scotland, and their influence is widely 
felt. More time therefore was given to them than 
the less important towns just noticed, and in which 
good work was already in progress. The prepara- 
tion and expectation in Perth had been earnest and 
decided. 

Noon-day prayer-meetings and evangelistic meet- 
ings had been commenced, and continued for twenty 



162 GROWING LEAL. 

weeks, and God gave many drops of blessing during 
that time. There was a cheering work amongst the 
children. Professor Martin, from Aberdeen, had held 
meetings for five w T eeks, and in these meetings many 
little ones gave their hearts to Jesus. 

It was resolved to make, for one month, a strenuous 
effort to win the older people to Christ by holding 
evangelistic services every night in the week, Sat- 
urday excepted. During that month Messrs. Moody 
and Sankey appeared. 

A meeting on Friday evening, addressed by the 
Rev. J. J. Black, LL. D., of Inverness Free High 
Church and Mr. Robertson, of Kewington, prepared 
the way. Mr. Moody had been called to Edinburgh 
by the sickness of his child, but Mr. Sankey was 
present. 

On Sunday morning a meeting was held for 
" Christian Workers and those disposed to work," 
when the City Hall was crowded. Mr. Sankey sang 
" Go work in my vineyard," that large congregation 
listening with glistening eyes, and hearts kindled anew 
in love to Jesus and a desire to work more diligently 
for Him who suffered so much for us. 

In the evening there were meetings in the open 



OLD MEMORIES. 163 

air on the South Inch (at which between four thou- 
sand and five thousand people were present) and 
in the City Hall, with overflow-meetings in two 
churches. 

There followed the noon-day meetings in the City 
Hall, Bible reading in the Free West Church, and 
evening meeting in the North United Presbyterian 
Church. The number of inquirers was very great, 
and very many obtained peace. " It has been " says a 
writer in the Christian, " a quiet strong tide of bless- 
ing ; it is as if God had sent His servants to unlock 
the flood-gates of His grace, and the water of life 
has swept out in deep and steady currents, leaving no 
place for the breaking waves of excitement and mere 
feeling. Especially this is to be noticed in the Bible- 
readings, when from day to day the large church in 
which Mr. Moody lectures is crowded with people 
reverently and simply studying God's Word." 

Mrs. Barbour, of whose account of the movement 
in Edinburgh we have availed ourselves, thus writes 
of the meetings in Perth : " It was on Sabbath 
morning that Mr. Moody and Mr. Sankey began 
work together at 9 a. m., in the City Hall. The 
many memories that came crowding in of former 



164 OLD DISCIPLES. 



years of blessing corresponded with the looks upon 
the faces of the eager, earnest, half-restless multitude. 
There was a rim left beyond the crowd during the 
first ten minutes; and to those corners of the hall 
where the hearing is not so good when ordinary 
speakers occupy the platform, groups, hot and tired 
from a long morning's walk, were noiselessly moving. 
Some had left their homes at eight, seven, six, five, 
and even at four to be there. Although the mass of 
the faces were strangers to us, individuals gathered 
in during each special visitation of God's love to 
Perth, were easily recognized. Not a few, with the 
marks of age and toil, and new joy upon their faces, 
belonged to the ever memorable epoch of 1840, when 
William Burns was so wondrously used among us. 
From far and near they assembled that morning. 
Fruits of Eobert McCheyne's ministry were there. 
The spirit of Mr. Milne, of St. Leonard's, breathed 
still so freshly in his flock, and in the town, that we 
cannot put his name yet among those that have 
passed away. Sturdy men, unflinching in service, 
the seals of faithful evangelists, were there. And the 
whole scene, how it recalled Reginald Eadcliffe, as 
though we had but to look half round to find 



THE CLOUD OVERHEAD. 165 

him ! Best of all, the dear ministers of Perth, newly 
baptized with power, stood there ready to forward 
the work, and bind the sheaves." 

The Kev. Mr. Parkhurst, of the M. E. Church, and 
the Rev. Mr. Spencer, also from Illinois, were able 
to give efficient aid here. The weather was unfavor- 
able to open air meetings, which in Perth had been 
attended with much blessing in former years, particu- 
larly in 1860 ; but " The blesssed Spirit of Promise, 
who is drawing to himself all hope, all confidence, 
as the alone able to glorify Jesus, was powerfully 
working in some hearts. The cloud, as of a man's 
hand, was in the sky of that sweet summer's eve, and 
as the many melted and humbled servants of the 
King withdrew from the places of inquiry, they 
silently adored the Mighty One, and saw Him already 
going forth conquering and to conquer. 

" At night Mr. Moody preached on ' Son, remem- 
ber.' Many a conscience was pierced ; many a 
lingerer arrested ; many a believer's soul stirred to 
the lowest depths, as we were made to lean over the 
precipice and look down to the pit of despair. Tou 
felt as if you would rather not hear the speaker or 
any one else preach for long, lest by any means the 



166 GO NEARER THE PEOPLE. 

lines drawn on the heart by God's Spirit should be 
effaced from the tablet within. 55 

The inquiry meeting had become so well-marked a 
feature of the movement that Mr. Moody made it 
the subject of an address in which its aims and uses 
were set forth. " I am more and more convinced 
every day/' said he, " that one of the hindrances to a 
greater work of grace in our churches is the barrier 
that seems in such a degree to exist between the pas- 
tor and people, and the consequent stiffness and 
formality which prevent the people from coming to 
the pastor with their troubles or to seek spiritual ad- 
vice, 

"I believe the preaching would be much more 
practical and effective if the minister understood 
more of the difficulties of those to whom he minis- 
ters, and I have found no greater help in discovering 
the wants of the people than in the inquiry meeting, 
right after the preaching of the word. Jesus en- 
couraged His disciples to ask Him questions, saying 
to them ' Have ye understood all these things ? ' 
(Matt. xiii. 51.) I feel confident that if the pastor 
invited his people to come freely to him with their 
questions, setting aside a special time for them to 



LET TEEM ASK. 167 



come, they would feel more free to accept than if left 
to come at any time, though they might, of course, 
be invited to do that also. 

"A few years ago I lost my way in London, and 
was glad to have a ' shoeblack 5 direct me aright. 
Many now are on the wrong road, and they know it, 
and yet are ashamed to go to any one to ask the right 
way. May they not be made to feel that their pastor, 
with other Christian friends who have walked in 
Wisdom's ways and found them ways of pleasantness, 
are ready to point to them also the way I 

" If Christ encouraged the people to come to Him 
and inquire of his kingdom, should they not now be 
encouraged to come and speak of Him ? On the day 
of Pentecost we read of a great cry being made by 
many who had been pricked by the words preached 
through the power of the Holy Ghost, ' Men J and 
brethren, what shall we do? 5 The three thousand 
added to the Church that day show the result of the 
inquiry. The thought has risen in our minds, what 
would some of those who oppose the inquiry meeting 
do should one hundred make the same inquiry now ? 

" Can we doubt that God sent Philip into the 
desert that he might meet the eunuch and explain to 



168 EXPECT SUCCESS. 

him that he whom Isaiah had named i the sheep led to 
the slaughter ' was this same Jesus who had been 
crucified ? We read that he ' began at the same 
Scripture and preached unto him Jesus.' "We can 
imagine many other ways in which the eunuch might 
have been reached — even by sending an angel from 
heaven ; but God allows Philip the honor of point- 
ing this inquirer to the finished work of Christ. 
Would an inquirer now, with the same 53d chapter 
of Isaiah, find the w r ay made plain if applying for 
help to some of those boasting of the ' broad ' plat- 
form on which they stand, and yet being called by 
Sis name. 

" I am frequently asked, ' How often should^we 
have inquiry meetings, and should they be on ordinary 
occasions ? ' I see no reason why they should not. I 
belike we should expect conversions every time we 
preach the gospel ; but the preaching of the gospel I 
would distinguish from the preaching of the word to 
Christians for their edification and establishment in 
the truth. But when Christ has been preached and 
offered freely, should we not expect some to accept, 
and therefore give the opportunity to those who 
would hear more to come and ask ? 



FOLLOWING IT UP. 169 

" The question also, who should be admitted into a 
general inquiry meeting to talk to the anxious has 
often been asked. I believe if the church has been 
properly instructed, one half of them ought to be 
able to point an inquiring one to Jesus. A man or 
woman whose heart is warm with love to the Sa- 
viour, and can give a reason for their hope, ought to 
be encouraged to go and speak to others. I know of 
no kind of work which quickens a church so much as 
work among inquirers." 

The closing labors at Perth are thus described: 
" Messrs. Moody and Sankey have gone from us, and 
we must turn now from the glad, calm, mountain- 
heights, to bear to those who are yet in the valley 
the tidings of the water of life, of which we have 
been drinking so deeply in the past ten days. In the 
dust of the conflict we shall look on this time even as 
David looked back to the t water of the well of Beth- 
lehem. 5 God grant that, even as he poured forth 
that blood-bought water, an offering unto the Lord, 
we may with willing hands hold forth the cup of liv- 
ing water, blood-bought too for us. 

"Mr. Moody's Bible-readings came to an end on 

Friday, the 5th, but two days of busy work yet re- 
8 



170 IN THE OPEN AIR. 

mained before lie left us for Dundee. On Sunday, 
the 7th, there was another meeting for Christian 
workers, at which the City Hall was again crowded. 
Much precious counsel Mr. Moody gave — counsel 
which came straight from an enthusiastic and devoted 
heart, yet never failed to be practical and clear. 

" At eleven o'clock he preached at the usual fore- 
noon service in the Free West Church, taking for his 
subject, ' The love of God ; ' and in the evening there 
was the meeting on the South Inch, for which all 
day long, prayer had been going up to the throne of 
grace. The evening was one of rare beauty; and 
when Mr. Sankey's voice was heard leading the well- 
known tune of the One Hundredth Psalm, it was 
6 with cheerful voice ' that the people followed, 
while the mountains around and the trees overhead 
seemed also to join in the song — . 

' For why ? The Lord our God is good ; 

His mercy is for ever sure ; 
His truth, at all times firmly stood, 
And shall from age to age endure/ 

"It is difficult to compute the numbers of a crowd 
standing so closely packed as this gathering was, but 
not fewer than seven thousand must have been with- 



LEAVE-TAKING. 171 

in the range of Mr. Moody's voice ; while on the out- 
skirts, where even his voice could not reach, the 
words of sacred song may have carried conviction 
and comfort to many. Between six and seven o'clock 
the meeting was dismissed, and the people slowly 
dispersed, many of them to attend one of the other 
meetings which were still to be held that evening. 

"At the children's meeting there was an unusually 
large attendance. Many of the little ones who had 
given their hearts to Jesus during the week had 
brought their companions to seek Him. 

" Mr. Parkhurst also had a good meeting in the City 
Hall, and at the North United Presbyterian Church, 
where Mr. Moody spoke, and whither many had 
gone voluntarily declaring themselves unconverted. 
Very many found peace that night. 

" On Monday we had the usual noon prayer-meet- 
ing, at which Mr. Moody and Mr. Sankey were both 
present; and in the evening a meeting for young 
converts, and the usual evangelistic meeting, at which 
Mr. Parkhurst for the last time presided. Mr. San- 
key was also present for a short time, according to 
his usual plan before going to the meeting at which 
Mr. Moody was speaking. His parting message to 



172 CONVERTS' MEETING. 

that assembly was breathed in the low, sad tones of 
i Nothing but Leaves.' His last song to the young 
converts was in the stirring notes of ' Only an Ar- 
mor-bearer.' Mr. Moody had spoken solemnly and 
earnestly of the dangers which lay before them in 
their upward journey, but, withal, so soul-stirringly 
of the glory to follow, that this song was felt to be 
the expression of many a young heart's devotion, and 
there were many whose spirits sang with Mr. San- 
key's lips — 

' Heard ye the battle cry ? " Forward ! " the call. 
See, see the faltering ones ! Backward they fall. 
Surely my Captain will remember me, 
Though but an armor-bearer I may be/ 

" Before closing Mr. Moody suggested that there 
should be a young converts' meeting every Monday 
evening, as there is already in many places. Once 
more they were commended to His care ' who is able 
to keep us from falling,' and then came the inquiry 
meeting, which that night seemed to be a specially 
solemn and sacred time. 

" iSTow God's servants have gone from us, but the 
fruit of their labor remains. They have been as 
scythes in the Master's hand, to mow down, in swift 
and steady strokes, \ the bearded grain and the flow- 



THE TEST OF TIME. 173 

ers that grow between.' ilay God grant that mow- 
ers and reapers may be raised up in our midst, and 
that what has been already mown may be gathered 
in and cared for ! He is able to make this but the 
first-fruits of the harvest; He is able to make even 
'the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than 
the vintage of Abi-ezer.'" 

From Perth a second visit was made to Dundee, of 
which Mr. McPherson gives the following details in 
the Christian of June 18th, 1874: 

" This second visit has been much appreciated, and 
has given a fresh impulse to the work. It has also 
served to make it abundantly evident that the work 
of grace has been going on quietly and steadily 
in this town and neighborhood during recent 
monflis. The ordinary channels of worship and work 
are full of the river of God — in some cases, indeed, 
full to overflowing. The pulse of Christian life in 
this city is beating more strongly and healthfully 
than it has done for many a day. It is now plain 
enough that the blessing will be largely permanent 
and abundantly productive. A thousand earnest 
souls are longing and praying for greater and still 
greater things. The impetus given to Christian work 



174 «0 UT OF THE MO UTH OF BABES." 

in all its departments can scarcely be overestimated. 
This is especially true in regard to work among the 
young. During the last three months many of the 
little ones have been carried away by scarlatina. 
Many death-bed scenes, full of interest and instruc- 
tion, have been witnessed. I have often of late 
heard the children in their last moments speak of 
the things of God with an intelligence and a simplic- 
ity of faith which has been both a lesson and a re- 
proof to older Christians. Beyond measure affecting 
is it to hear the little ones sing their sweet gospel 
hymns with their dying breath. ' Oh, mother, how I 
wish you were going with me ! 5 said a little girl the 
other day as she lay dying. c I cannot go with you, 
dear, 5 replied the mother; c Jesus wants you to go 
alone to Him. 5 i Going to Jesus, 5 repeated the child 
twice, as if pondering the full significance of the 
word. Then, after a pause, she said she was satisfied, 
adding, ' Mother, you will come by and by. 5 She 
then sang, i Jesus loves even me, 5 and died. 

"The young doves are flying to their windows. 
There is sorrow in many a home here ; but I have 
never before seen so much joy and praise in the 
midst of bereavement and trouble. As the little 



LABORERS WANTED. 175 

saved children go in at the gates singing, fathers and 
mothers are catching glimpses of the glory, and wish- 
ing they were in too." 

There is necessarily much uniformity in the modes 
of operation in the various cities. Mr. Moody's plan 
usually included a meeting at the very outset for the 
" Christian workers " and all who were willing to be 
employed. Then followed vivid presentations of 
vital truth on such Scripture words as " There is no 
difference," "The Two Adams," or "Sinners' Ex- 
cuses," and direct and faithful dealing with men's 
souls. &> 

Thus it was at Aberdeen. The labors of the evan- 
gelists commenced on Sabbath, the 14th, by a nine 
o'clock meeting for Christian workers, admission by 
ticket. There were three thousand issued, and the 
Music Hall was quite filled, every available place being 
occupied, either sitting or standing. The singing of the 
Hundredth Psalm opened the proceedings, after which 
the Rev. T. Gardiner, Old Aberdeen Free Church, 
engaged in prayer. Mr. Moody then rose, and, after 
reading a short portion of Scripture, spoke for about 
three quarters of an hour from the text, "Here am I; 
send me." Mr. Sankey, assisted by a most efficient 



176 AT ABERDEEN. 



choir of male and female voices, effectively rendered 
several hymns, among which the principal were, 
" Hark, the Yoice of Jesus Calling," " Go, work in 
my Vineyard," and "Nothing but Leaves." The 
meeting was a most solemn one, and the audience was 
most attentive. 

The evening meeting, at 5 p. m., was on the Links, 
in the natural amphitheatre of the Broadhill, where a 
platform had been erected for choir and speakers. It 
was here that the deep interest in these gentlemen — 
arising, of course, from mixed feelings of curiosity 
and desire to know more of that better way of which 
they speak — showed itself. One may be allowed to 
say that the town was moved to come, and see, and 
hear. Some ten thousand were in position before 
and around the platform long before the hour of 
meeting ; and yet from before five till past six there 
were continuous streams of men, women, and chil- 
dren, from the city, Footdee, Woodside, Old Aber- 
deen, and as far as Dyce, flowing to the one point on 
the Broadhill. There could not have been fewer 
than twenty to twenty-two thousand oru the Links 
that evening. Mr. Moody spoke from the words, 
u The wages of sin is death," and was listened to with 



THE CITY MO VED. 177 

rapt attention, while the hymns were distinctly heard 
over the vast crowds in the stillness of a quiet summer 
evening. 

The next meeting was announced for eight, in the 
Music Hall, but it being filled before seven, Mr. 
Moody began at that hour. Prayer was led by Mr. 
Walter, of Free Trinity Church, Mr. Moody speaking 
on the subject of the prodigal son. There was much 
power. The chief hymns were, "Jesus of Nazareth," 
" Come Home," and "Almost Persuaded." There were 
many inquirers. The crowd outside was very great, 
and Free West Trinity and the Baptist Chapel, Crown 
street, had to be opened, and were more or less filled; 
while several ministers conducted an open-air service 
in one of the squares. " We have never at any time, 
I may say, seen the city so moved as it was this day." 

The next day, Monday, the meeting was in the 
South Parish Church, and a prayer-meeting at 3 p. m. 
Amongst the audience there were between twenty 
and thirty ministers of various denominations. Pend- 
ing the arrival of the evangelists, various hymns were 
sung by a cltoir which has been organized to assist 
Mr. Sankey in singing. 

Two hours before the time announced for com- 



178 . ENEMIES VANQUISHED, 

mencing the evening meeting in the South Parish 
Church, a crowd had gathered at the door, and no 
sooner was admission gained than every seat and 
corner of the large church began to be rapidly filled. 
The people seemed contented to wait any length of 
time for an opportunity of hearing the singing of Mr. 
Sankey and the preaching of Mr. Moody. It was 
soon seen that the numbers waiting outside could not 
gain admission into the church, and provision was 
immediately made for having an open-air meeting in 
the quadrangle of Marischal College. 

After devotional exercises, interspersed with hymns 
and Scripture expositions of a brief and pointed char- 
acter, Mr. Moody preached from Luke ii. 10 : " Be- 
hold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall 
be to all people, for unto you is born this day a Sa- 
viour." "His love for the Gospel," he said, "had 
taken out of his way four of his bitterest enemies. 
Before he was converted, death to him was a horrible 
monster, but now he had no fear of it. He had re- 
ceived several letters from people who were probably 
out of their mind, threatening to take his life, but 
fear of them never gave him a thought, for he went 
through the world crying, ' O Death, where is thy 



AN OPEN AIR TEXT. 179 

sting?' and he heard a voice rolling down from 
Calvary's cross, saying, ' Buried in the bosom of the 
Saviour. 5 He had attended the wounded at the 
American War, and had seen death under many phases. 
In illustration he told an anecdote of the war, so 
graphically, and with so much pathos, that a consid- 
erable portion of the audience was deeply affected. 
The other enemies which the knowledge of the Gos- 
pel had removed from his path were the grave, sin, 
and the judgment, all of which were bitter enemies 
to his peace of mind previous to his conversion." 

Later in the evening, another and yet larger con- 
gregation, including a greater number of careless 
persons, heard another sermon on "the Gospel." 

He expressed himself greatly pleased with the 
character of the meeting ; he liked open-air meetings 
on week days, because all kinds of people could come 
to them, while, no doubt, a good many came all eyes 
and mouths open for curiosity's sake. The text he 
had chosen was an open-air one, and commanded 
them to preach the Gospel to every creature, and in a 
few sentences he pointed out how comprehensive was 
this injunction of the Saviour's. Throughout both 
his evening discourses, Mr. Moody showed a wonder- 



180 TO THE SOLDIERS. 

ful power of seizing the circumstances around him 
to illustrate his meaning, thereby giving a kind of 
personal interest to what he was saying. Then fol- 
lowed a prayer-meeting in the Free High Church for 
about half an hour, those who desired private con- 
versation retiring to the hall below the church, the 
prayer-meeting being continued in the church by 
several clergymen until after ten o'clock. The in- 
quirers' meeting lasted still longer. 

Among the side-meetings held in this neighbor- 
hood, was one of special interest for soldiers and sailors, 
in the Aberdeen School of Song. It is a new hall ; 
and this was the first meeting held in it. The meet- 
ing was arranged through the exertions of Sir Francis 
Outram and Dr. Thomas Farquhar. The wives and 
friends of the soldiers and marines were also present ; 
and the company was a large one, numbering many 
hundreds. Mr. Sankey and his choir attended. Sir 
Francis Outram presided, and the Rev. Mr. Greig 
engaged in prayer. Mr. Sankey gave a short and 
effective address, and sang the hymn " Hold the Fort,' 5 
the audience joining in the chorus. Major Ross then 
addressed the meeting. The Rev. Mr. Sloan spoke 
on the text, " Endure hardness as a good soldier of 



APPLICATION OF TRUTH. 181 

. Jesus Christ.' 5 Mr. Sankey followed with the hymn 
" The Life-boat." After prayer, he again sang, with 
great power, the hymn " Ninety and Nine." The 
meeting lasted for an hour, and was intensely inter- 
esting. We trust much good was done through it. 
Several of the officers were present. 

At Peterhead two meetings were held, one at five 
p.m., a second on the Links — an open-air gathering 
continued in the church, of which one of the min- 
isters writes thus : 

" The large church was quite filled in the after- 
meeting, some standing in the passages. Mr. Moody 
addressed the anxious. In closing, he asked those 
that knew they were unsaved but wished to be prayed 
for to stand up. This being a new thing for Peter- 
head, it was some time ere any had the courage. At 
length one, then another, and another, then twos and 
threes, rose, till between thirty and forty stood before 
that vast audience to be prayed for. It was a solemn 
moment. They soon got company, however, for no 
sooner had God's servant requested the children of 
God who felt the desire for greater spiritual blessing 
to rise, than up stood a throng. The front area seats 
were then cleared for the anxious. Many men on 



182 RESPONSIBILITY. 

one side, and young women and boys and girls, came 
forward, and, after the assembly was dismissed, were 
spoken to personally. I believe great good was done 
by that short visit, — an impression made on the town 
that will not soon leave it ; many convictions planted 
in breasts, and former impressions deepened, and not 
a few led to Jesus. The children of God, too, have 
received a blessing indeed. The constantly expressed 
desire is, ' If we could only have had him a week 
just ; ' others, * Well, it is clear we can't have him, 
and why do we not bestir ourselves and be blessed 
still more ? ' " 

The impression produced by the " Bible-readings " 
is thus described in a letter to The Christian from 
Aberdeen : 

" We cannot over-estimate the benefit and enjoy- 
ment which the privilege of being present at these 
lectures occasioned to many. We can only hope that 
the method of studying the Scriptures so attractively 
illustrated by these lectures may be largely imitated 
by private Christians, along with the steady consecu- 
tive reading and study of books and portions of the 
sacred word." 

After a week's labor in the city, the following re- 



WATER OJST THE THIRSTY, 183 

suits are reported, all the more remarkable because 
the time had now come when both ministers and peo- 
ple began to leave for summer holidays. 

"In Free Trinity Church, as usual, an overflow 
meeting was held during the earlier part of the even- 
ing; and at nine o'clock the meeting for the men 
began. The audience having been consulted as to 
whether this meeting should be continued for another 
week at least, all present, apparently, expressed their 
desire that it should be so. About the same number 
of anxious inquirers remained in both places of meet- 
ing each night. The average each night throughout 
the week may be reckoned roughly at one hundred 
and fifty. This is truly ' great things' done for us 
and among us by the Lord ; and many of God's peo- 
ple are filled with joy at His mighty doings. 

" In addition to these results, there are blessings 
received which come not always to view. There are 
the reviving and quickening of God's people ; the 
enriching of the experience of the large staff of Chris- 
tian workers ; the tightening of the cords of Christian 
love and unity ; the increase of the spirit of prayer 
and hopefulness ; and largely a new view of the sacred 
function of praise in the service of Christ, and as a 



184 FLOODS OJST DRY GEO TTND. 

means of winning souls to Him, of comforting the 
downcast, and of warring against the assaults of the 
wicked one." 

Among the incidents in the inquiry-room was that 
of a young lady, who, in speaking with Mr. Moody, 
said, " You made it so plain last night, that I now know 
the way and the scheme of salvation thoroughly, and 
there remains but the surrender of the will." 

The brethren commenced their second and last 
week's labors in Aberdeen, June 21, 1874. Mere 
curiosity had had time to be gratified, but still large 
audiences flocked to hear them. " Many," says a 
writer in The Christian, " who, with. Scotch caution, 
were inclined to stand aloof from the movement for a 
short time, have come round to recognize that there 
is good being done, and that the men are not mere 
butterflies, fluttering in a breeze of religious excite- 
ment. Their influence has gone beyond the gather- 
ings that they themselves bring together. There has 
been created a renewed interest in evangelistic work, 
which is bearing fruit in numerous well-attended meet- 
ings being held throughout the town, conducted by 
clergymen and laymen. At the same time there is an 
absence of that emotional excitement which was 



MUTUAL HELP. 185 



greatly in vogue in some previous revivals, and which, 
in a measure, is to blame for the indifference of not a 
few good church-goingpeople to evangelistic-preaching. 

A vigorous lecture on Daniel in the morning, a ser- 
mon in the cathedral, Old Aberdeen, which was 
densely crowded, a closing meeting on the Links — the 
Scottish " Common" — an evening meeting in the Music 
Hall, and separate meetings with the men and women 
who had received a blessing — these were the farewell 
services on June 28, 1874, in Aberdeen. 

" Perhaps in no place which he has as yet visited," 
says the Rev. John M. Sloan, " have his ministrations 
been attended by greater or more interested crowds. 
The Music Hall, larger, we believe, than the City 
Hall, Glasgow, and capable, when crowded, of accom- 
modating close on three thousand five hundred — was 
full every night during the fortnight of the evangel- 
ists' stay among us. Not only so, but the overflow 
sufficed to fill at times more than one of the adjacent 
churches. The Bible lectures, which were held in the 
South Parish Church, were attended by close on two 
thousand ; while the daily prayer-meeting in Belmont 
Street Chapel was attended by one thousand or more." 

Of the manner in which young men influenced one 



186 YOUNG MEWS RESOLVES. 

another, no better illustration could be given than 
from the closing meeting in Aberdeen, though, simi- 
lar facts had occurred elsewhere. 

u During the evening, a young gentleman rose and 
said, ' Mr. Moody, if you can tell me how my soul 
can be saved, you will be the greatest benefactor of 
my life. 5 Another immediately rose, and said, 
' That gentleman has exactly expressed what I feel.' 
Another young man rose, and spoke to this effect : 
'Some few evenings ago I was in Free Trinity 
Church at the men's meeting. At one point in the 
proceedings I was taken aback by the person next to 
me in the pew rising up and saying, " I want to let 
this large company of young men, many of them my 
friends and acquaintances, know that I am a Chris- 
tian, and that by God's grace I mean to stand on the 
Lord's side. It will save trouble my telling you all this 
at once." When he sat down, the young man sitting 
in the same pew, but on the other side of me, rose 
and made a statement to the same effect. I felt some- 
what uncomfortable sitting between two making such 
, a declaration, in the full view of all the congregation. 
The place was unpleasantly hot for me. But God 
blessed the testimonies of that evening to the awaken- 



DTSGR1MINA TIOJST. 187 

ing of my soul, and ultimately to my conversion; 
and now I am here before this audience to tell them 
that I too am on the Lord's side, and mean by His 
grace to live for Him." ' 

Huntly received a visit — reawakening memories 
of the efforts made by the excellent Duchess of 
Gordon. Montrose, where the earnest and zealous 
Mr. Nixon has lived and labored for a genera- 
tion, welcomed even a day's work, and Rev. G. S. 
Sutherland reported that though the visit was 
" painfully brief, it had left behind lasting fruit : " and 
Brechin, once the scene of Eev. Dr. McCosh's labors, 
had its crowded meetings. 

Forfar and Arbroath were visited. It may illus- 
trate the observant discrimination with which Scot- 
tish Christians followed the steps of the American 
evangelists, that a most appreciative writer in the 
Times of Blessing, a journal originated for the dif- 
fusion of revival intelligence, thus describes Mr. 
Moody's address in the latter place : 

" The first meeting was held in the Old Church 
(Established); and though the hour — three o'clock, 
afternoon — was one at which none of the working 
classes could attend, the large building, capable of 



188 TRUTH RIGHTLY DIVIDED. 

holding two thousand people, was well-nigh full. The 
meeting was opened with the One Hundredth Psalm, 
led by Mr. Sankey and the organ ; and Mr. Irvine, the 
pastor of the church, engaged in prayer. ' Nothing but 
Leaves,' and ' "Whiter than Snow ' followed, divided 
by the reading of Rom. iii. In this section was found 
the theme of Mr. Moody's address, ' There is no Dif- 
ference,' — words which he held up as testifying that 
all men everywhere stand on the same platform as 
sinners in relation to the law of God. The audience 
listened with rapt attention, the illustrations being 
specially telling. The writer of this notice heard the 
same address in Glasgow ; but on the present occasion 
Mr. Moody seemed to take a firmer grasp of his sub- 
ject, and preserved more unity of structure in the ad- 
dress itself. He seems also to be more careful in his 
way of explaining what faith in Christ is than before, 
showing by this that if he have given benefit to 
Scottish ministers by the exhibition of his method, he 
has also been reaping some benefit from their well- 
weighed style of expression." 

That this kindly criticism accompanied the most 
cordial and- enthusiastic estimate of the man, will 
appear from another paragraph — almost the only 



CORDIAL APPROVAL. 189 

eulogistic description we have thought it good to in- 
sert, for, " he that glorieth let him glory in the Lord." 

"Mr. Moody's voice has suffered a good deal by his 
exposure on a wet Sunday on the Links at Aberdeen ; 
when he addressed an enormous audience under um- 
brellas. It was very husky to commence with, and 
only got back its old power and sharpness, as he 
worked it clear. When a man gets a bad cold, and 
goes on with such colossal work, without intermission, 
one comes to ask : i Is he made of iron only in a 
figure, oris he really so?' 'The more one sees Mr. 
Moody, the more one is amazed at the nervous power 
and the unwearied spiritual and mental activity. Did 
he only do what he does as an inspirer and organizer 
of young men's associations, or of work among the 
young, he would be doing a splendid life-labor ; but 
he is doing the work of three or four evangelists into 
the bargain, and that with the force of a locomotive 
engine. One would almost fear him as an embodiment 
of half a dozen agencies condensed into one person, 
did one not see unmistakably, every here and there, 
traces which tell that the masculine nature has the 
humility of a child and the tenderness of a woman." 

Blairgowrie had been praying, and when, early in 



190 B LAIRG WB1R 



July, the evangelists appeared, seven thousand eager 
hearers met them, and the Rev. Mr. Baxter reports : 

"After devotional exercises had been engaged in, 
Mr. Moocly spoke. The discourse abounded in rich 
utterances of a free gospel. The glad tidings of mercy 
through Christ were clearly enunciated. The offer 
of immediate salvation was pressed on every one with 
great seriousness and solemnity. By means of evan- 
gelical truth luminously stated, anecdotes pointed and 
most graphically given, illustrations fresh and felici- 
tous, attention was arrested and sustained, and many a 
countenance betrayed in its expression the interest 
which was being felt and the deep emotion which 
was being awakened. A wave of divine influence 
seemed to pass over the immense audience, and so 
stirred were the hearts of many, that they were ready 
to say, ' Surely the Lord is in this place. 5 It was a 
marvelous, and will be a memorable, meeting. The 
vast congregation, the glorious proclamation of God's 
grace, the eagerness with which the truth was listened 
to, the widespread concern about everlasting interests, 
will be long remembered with no ordinary degree of 
pleasure and profit." 

At Inverness, the next field, from the beginning of 



INVERNESS. 191 



the year a prayer-meeting had been held daily at noon 
in the large hall of the beautiful building erected a 
few years ago by the Young Men's Christian Asso- 
ciation, and the people were expectant of a blessing. 
We shall allow the Rev. G. Robson to describe 
the closing meeting only taking the liberty to 
abbreviate : 

"The closing meeting, Free High Church, at 8 
p. m. ; densely packed ; the Hundredth Psalm sung, and 
prayer. Mr. Sankey sang the hymn, ' We shall Part, 
but not forever,' the choir joining in the chorus. Mr. 
Moody delivered a most arresting and solemn address. 
The close of his appeal, when he deplored his in- 
ability to speak for Christ with the earnestness he 
desired, and with tears entreated the unsaved to close 
with the Saviour, was listened to amid a silence 
broken only by the irrepressible signs of deep emo- 
tion on the part of his audience. There were not 
many dry eyes in the vast congregation, and many 
heads were bowed. At the close of the address, the 
Rev. Dr. Black engaged in prayer, and then Mr. 
Sankey sang a farewell hymn, beginning, ' And now, 
dear Friends, we must bid you adieu,' in which he ad- 
dressed the different classes present. He sang it with 



192 -PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION." 

even more than his usual distinctness, and the sin- 
gular appropriateness of these farewell utterances lent 
to them additional effect. "While the Twenty-third 
Psalm was being sung the meeting separated, the 
men being invited to an after-meeting in the Con- 
gregational Church, and the women to remain in the 
Free High Church." It is impossible to give any idea, 
by words, of the deep solemnity and holy emotion 
which characterized this closing meeting. ' The Lord 
has been in the midst of us to-night,' said Mr. Moody, 
as the meeting was separating. i Ah, yes ; glory to 
His name ! ' was the reply. The after-meeting was 
the most solemn I ever witnessed. Pew after pew 
was cleared for those who professed to be seeking 
Christ, and still they pressed forward. There were 
upwards of a hundred of them; and their earnest 
attention while Mr. Moody, in simple, tender words, 
pointed out to them the way of salvation — the per- 
fect stillness which prevailed, as, with their heads 
bowed upon the book-board, they engaged in silent 
prayer — the manifest anxiety, reverence, and sincerity 
which animated their behavior during the subsequent 
solemn exercises — the spirit of prayer manifestly per- 
vading the Christian ladies who filled the pews on 



"IF YE HAVE FAITHS 193 

either side of the church — all testified to the presence 
of the Holy Ghost in that hallowed hour, never to be 
forgotten. The men's meeting in the Congregational 
Church, conducted by Mr. Sankey, was also greatly 
blessed of God, and a very large number of inquirers 
were conversed with. It was late at night before 
Messrs. Moody and Sankey slipped away from the 
scene of labors which have been owned of God for 
the conversion of many souls and the quickening of 
many believers." 

In N"airn and Elgin the same scenes were repeated. 
At the latter place Mr. Moody urged faith and effort 
on the Christian people ; he read a portion of the ninth 
chapter of Mark, in reference to the case of the father 
whose son was possessed of a devil. From it he en- 
treated Christians, like the man in the chapter, to 
bring their friends to Jesus, to whom no case was too 
hopeless. "K"ow," Mr. Moody continued, "if there 
is going to be a blessing in Elgin, we must have faith. 
All know Christ can do it, and what we want is to 
get the 'if 3 in the right place. 'If 3 we can believe, 
that moment we get the ' if ' in the right place. Un- 
belief was the greatest obstacle that Christ encoun- 
tered, both on that and this side the cross." Mr. 
9 



194 ELGIN. 



Moody then very earnestly appealed to *God's people 
to have faith, to come as empty vessels, devoid of 
self-conceit and everything selfish, so that they might 
be filled. 

To Nairn the visit was made on the 21st July (1874), 
the Rev. Dr. Cunningham, of Philadelphia, giving 
some aid in the meetings. "An inquiry meeting 
was held at the close, and about sixty or more were 
conversed with, while many retired to their homes 
with an arrow in their hearts. Some professed to 
close with Jesus, and some left undecided for the 
Lord. Mr. Moody and his fellow-laborer left the 
town next morning, while the services were carried on 
by the ministers in town and an evangelist. The in- 
quiry meeting on Wednesday evening was full of 
interest, many professing to close with Jesus. The 
whole town was moved." 

The ancient town of Elgin received a two days 5 
visit. An open-air meeting was held on Ladyhill. 
The Elgin Courier thus describes the scene : " The 
sun, as he sank to rest in the west shed his dying 
glory over the most picturesque scene on the hillside. 
It was estimated by some that there were between 
five and six thousand persons present, it being the 



REV. R. 8. MACPHAIL. 195 

largest gathering of the kind we ever remember 
having seen in Elgin. Tempted by the fine evening 
all classes of the people turned out, many arriving 
from all parts of the surrounding districts. At the 
foot of the hill a platform was erected, which was 
occupied by the choir and speakers. The whole hill- 
side, for a great distance up and round about was cov- 
ered with the dense multitude, that presented, with 
their varied dresses, a most imposing spectacle." 

The Tiev. E. S. Macphail gives his ideas of the 
moral and spiritual results as indicated by the ad- 
journed meeting: "In the parish church the scene 
was unprecedented. Much as we had prayed for 
seven months and expected, we were not prepared 
for the results our God gave. Not only did the num- 
bers exceed our most sanguine expectations, but per- 
sons remained seeking salvation whose presence filled 
our hearts with thanksgiving and rejoicing. This 
has been so at all these meetings, but on Sabbath 
night most strikingly. On the Thursday previous 
about two hundred and fifty inquirers were dealt 
with. How many there were on Sabbath night I do 
not venture to indicate, as there were fewer means 
of computing the great gathering. Such a Sabbath 



196 A GLAD SURPRISE. 

Elgin never saw ; and the results of that day's work 
will, I believe, remain, not only in the lives of very 
many in Elgin and for miles around, but in the tone 
and religious character of oar city. The power of 
the word originated influences which, by God's 
blessing, will tell very powerfully in our midst. 
We found our way to our homes that night at a late 
hour ' like men that dreamed.' Truly we might, as 
we did, say, ' The Lord hath done great things for us.' r 
Of a second visit made to Elgin one of the Young 
Men's deputies from Edinburgh writes in cordial ap- 
preciation of the zeal and fervor of the Highlanders : 
" How the Elgin people pounced upon Mr. Moody 
when they heard, three days after he had left them, 
that he had one more free day in the midst of his 
busy life ! Of course they never dreamed of him tak- 
ing a rest ; and there was great joy on Wednesday 
afternoon when it was flashed through the country 
side that on the following evening there was to be 
another great open-air gathering. I cannot tell you 
who were there, or how many, or what a good choir 
there was, or what Mr. Sankey sung, or which digni- 
tary prayed. I cannot tell you how beautifully the 
sun was setting, or how fresh the background of 



COME AND HELP US. 197 

woods looked, or how azure the sky was. But these 
old men penitent, these drunkards petrified, these 
strong men's tears, these drooping heads of women, 
these groups of gutter children with their wondering 
eyes ! Oh, that multitude of thirsty ones — what a 
sight it was ! What could the preacher do but preach 
his best ? And, long after the usual time for stop- 
ping, was it a marvel to hear the persuasive voice 
still pleading on with, these Christless thousands ? 

" It is useless to attempt to give even an approxi- 
mate idea of the extent of the blessing which fell 
upon Elgin on Thursday night. The whole of Mo- 
rayshire has shared it, and a powerful hold has been 
gained in nearly every farmhouse and village through- 
out the country side ; a hold which, it is earnestly hoped, 
the members of the new Young Men's Christian As- 
sociation will take immediate steps to develop, and 
which, with the prayers of the Christian friends of 
this corner of the vineyard, may yet be fertile of 
great and enduring blessing." 

They could not well pass by Banff, for " a memo- 
rial signed by two thousand two hundred ministers, 
elders, members, and adherents of the various 
churches in Banff and Macduff had been forwarded to 



198 TOO HARD FOR THE LORD? 

them. An unusual interest was consequently mani- 
fested on their arrival. The railway station was 
quite crowded with people who were waiting to give 
them a warm welcome." 

Open-air meetings, Bible-readings, sermons, in- 
quiry-meetings, for men exclusively, filled up the 
greater part of a week. The Rev. J. W. Geddie says 
of the results : " Mr. Moody's words seemed to pierce 
like arrows, much emotion was manifested in the 
congregation, and the number of inquirers was greater 
than before. The meeting for men was also more 
largely attended, and not a few of the anxious seemed 
to decide for Christ. 

" Thursday, 6th Aug. (1874), was Mr. Moody's last 
day in Banff. At twelve o'clock he appeared in the 
prayer-meeting, to the evident delight and satisfac- 
tion of all present. He gave what he calls the key- 
note of the meeting in a few earnest and encouraging 
words, chiefly in the question, ' Is there anything too 
hard for the Lord ? ' Several brethren then prayed 
with great power and unction. It was felt that 
surely the Lord would very specially bless the word 
in the evening. 

" And so it was. Thursday evening will be long 



CRAIG CASTLE. 199 



remembered by many in Banff. The discourse was 
pointed, powerful, and pathetic. At the close he 
thrilled the audience, as he bade them farewell, and 
with tears urged the unconverted to close with Christ 
at once. 

" We are truly grateful for the visit of these hon- 
ored brethren. They have been instrumental in giv- 
ing an impulse to Christian life and work here, 
which, we trust, will lead to still greater results. "We 
bid them God-speed." 

At Craig Castle, the residence of J. S. Gordon, 
Esq., a series of evangelistic meetings has been held 
for many summers. The Sabbath evening meeting, 
9th August, must have been of unusual interest. 

"Every valley and hamlet within a radius of ten 
miles sent its company in gig, cart, or afoot. The 
gathering resembled somewhat one of the Covenanter 
hill-side meetings, save that, while the bibles were 
still present, the broadswords were altogether absent ; 
and the rendezvous, instead of being a wild, rocky 
pass, was a hospitable castle with its fairy dell and 
leaping linn, celebrated in song, and known as one 
of the loveliest spots in Scotland. The beauty of the 
scene seemed specially to move Mr. Moody, who re- 



200 UNCERTAIN NA VIGATION 

ferred to it again and again in his discourse, which 
was one of peculiar beauty, power, and pathos. 
Standing in an open carriage placed near a towering 
tree, the preacher spoke for nearly an hour from the 
parable of the Marriage Feast. A very marked im- 
pression was produced, and many retired at the close 
of the service for conversation with the preacher and 
other ministers and friends. The Craig gathering of 
August, 1874, will, we believe, be ever memorable to 
not a few as 'the beginning of days' to them." 

In one of the intervals between engagements, 
a hurried run was made to Aberdeen, but other 
towns, like Wick and Thurso, awaited the coming of 
the evangelists. In that region, the navigation is 
often uncertain. 

Midnight on Monday (10th August), found Mr. 
Moody steaming slowly out of Aberdeen harbor, after 
a hard day's work, in which he held four large and 
successful public meetings. Tuesday morning found 
him close in shore, opposite Wick, with a contrary 
wind, and most violent contrary currents, making 
things on board the St. Nicholas about as disagreeable 
as possible. On the shore, a large party awaited his 
arrival, but it was soon apparent that the heavy sea 



JOHN O'GBOA T'S HO USE. 201 

which was running in the bay would make any at- 
tempt to land quite out of the question. 

But the good people of Wick were no losers by the 
misfortunes of the first day, for Mr. Moody soon in- 
timated his intention to devote two extra days to 
Wick, and one of these a Sabbath. 

On Wednesday, of course, the whole country-side 
poured into Wick to hear Mr. Moody, and by six 
o'clock, the commodious Established Church was 
crowded to the door. The aid of Mr. Somerville, of 
Glasgow, was enjoyed here. A monster meeting for 
the fishermen was held on the Saturday. They 
were there in thousands, just then, from all parts 
of Scotland. The fishermen do not, of course, go to 
sea on Saturday night. The meetings on Sabbath 
were most successful, one hundred and fifty men pro- 
fessing decision. 

John O' Groat's House is famous as the most north- 
ern point of Scotland. On Thursday, the 13th, Mr. 
Moody, with a party of friends, visited John O' Groat's 
and Duncansbay Head. The news of his presence 
spread rapidly amongst the inhabitants of the neigh- 
borhood, and a considerable gathering of men and 
women, attired in their Sabbath dress, with Bibles in 
9* 



202 AN EAGER COMPANY. 

their hands, intercepted him as he stood upon the site 
of John O'Groat's House, and urgently requested that 
he might address a few words to them. Mr. Moody 
made passing allusion to the circumstances of his visit, 
to the probability of his never meeting his audience 
again in this world, to the scenery, the situation, and 
the tradition of the place. The speaker, standing as 
he did on the northmost mainland of Britain, with the 
blue waters of the broad Atlantic rolling between him 
and his home, seemed as a link binding the two 
nations together in that unity and brotherly love 
which are the main characteristics of his doctrine. 
This was, probably, the first sermon ever preached on 
John 0' Groat's House. 

A scene in Wick, whither he returned, is thus de- 
scribed by Rev. George Renny : 

" He requested those who were yet unsaved and 
anxious, to cross the platform where the pulpit stands, 
and retire to the hall below. Slowly one, and another, 
and another rose, and, in the face of the audience, 
moved to the place appointed. It soon became full of 
inquirers, so much so that there was not standing- 
room. Mr. Moody then intimated that the church 
would be cleared for them to return, but that if there 



THE GLOPJO US GOSPEL. 203 

were others before him still anxious, they should, in 
the meantime, move below. The minister's vestry was 
thrown open and was filled. Thereafter, the back 
stair, which leads to the pulpit, was also crowded. 
It was found that not fewer than, two hundred men — 
a few of them with silvery locks, and a few young in 
years, but the vast majority in the full vigor of man- 
hood, and occupying various positions in the social 
scale — confessed themselves unconverted, and anxious 
for salvation. Christians accustomed to speak to the 
anxious were requested to occupy a certain place in 
the church; other Christians were asked to adjourn 
to the Baptist Chapel, and pray for direction, and the 
revelation of Christ to those who remained, and the 
promiscuous assembly separated. The inquirers then 
returned, and took their seats in front of the pulpit. 
The way of salvation was explained by Mr. Moody, in 
a very simple and forcible manner, and the texts of 
Scripture which had been most blessed in the way of 
delivering and assuring his own soul, were dwelt 
upon. The gospel was brought home with such sim- 
plicity that one felt how true it \% The wayfaring 
men, though fools, need not err therein. Regret was 
expressed that the souls before him could not be 



204 A SOLEMN HOUR. 

spoken with individually. He then requested that all 
would engage in silent prayer, and that as many as 
were enabled to trust in Jesus should in these solemn 
moments receive Him as their Saviour. This done, he 
then asked that those who had now committed their 
souls to Christ for salvation, should rise up ; when 
slowly, one by one, there rose one hundred and fifty, or 
thereby — every countenance bearing the imprint of 
seriousness, every eye bedimmed with a tear, but no 
excitement and no outburst of feeling. It was a sight 
for angels to witness. Mr. Moody after this requested 
them to repeat audibly the words of a dedication 
prayer, so full of directness and simplicity, that as 
every lip, quivering with emotion, slowly echoed the 
words, we seemed carried back to the days of the 
Covenant. This concluded, there burst from the 
heart of the audience a prayer from a young man who 
has been much identified with this work of grace, 
such as told of the tremulous joy which was present 
to the minds of all of us, and the earnest desire that 
all who had witnessed the good confession might by 
grace be found faithful to the end. 

" In a brief time, the newly-professed converts re- 
tired, and those who had kept their seats and were still 



THE GROUND PREPARED. 205 

anxious were conversed with, some of whom seemed to 
find their way to the light. Never, never will that 
night be forgotten. Many, doubtless, will watch for 
the halting of these men. Let us continue instant in 
prayer that they may be kept steadfast and immova- 
ble, always abounding in the work of the Lord." 

" It is now," says Rev. "W". E. Taylor, of Glasgow, 
who was at "Wick and in the neighborhood with Mr. 
Moody, " fifteen years since Thurso was visited with 
a marked blessing, and of that happy period I retain 
a record, which tells of upwards of four hundred in- 
quirers, and of one-half of these becoming members 
of the church within a few months thereafter. May 
God grant like and even greater things in this year 
of grace." This hope was amply realized. 

The encouraging state of things on Monday and 
Tuesday evenings, combined with the urgent request 
of friends, led Mr. Moody to decide on remaining here 
till the end of the week, instead of giving only two 
days, as first arranged. On the following (Thursday) 
evening, Mr. Moody preached on Faith. "When min- 
isters and other workers dealt at the close of the ser- 
vice with inquirers, they found that the way had been 
paved for them to an unusual degree, and that many 



206 OBAN. 

who had been previously seeking hope among their 
own feelings, were now prepared to close, in the 
strength of grace, with the offered and offering 
Saviour. For example, as one man was being con- 
versed with, after the Christian friend speaking to 
him had said a few words, he suddenly bowed his 
head on the bookboard, and poured forth from an 
overcharged heart a fervent prayer, expressive of 
immediate acceptance of the Lord Jesus as his 
Saviour, and of thanksgiving for the light received. 
To speak to inquirers under such circumstances was 
a work as easy as it was blessed. 

A most useful Convention was held in Inverness in 
the end of August. Of the last week in Scotland, 
we should be glad to give more ample details did our 
space admit. The following is a concise account of 
the meetings : 

After the Convention at Inverness, Mr. Moody, 
with a company of local friends, went down the Cale- 
donian Canal to Oban, and there, on Friday the 28th, 
gave an address with much apparent blessing in the 
United Presbyterian Church. There had been much 
preparatory work in the town, not only in the open-air 
meetings, but also in other special services ; and in 



GAMPBEL TO WJV. 207 



the two preceding months the Rev. H. Bonar and the 
Rev. A. Bonar, had ministered the Word in the Free 
Church. From Oban Mr. Moody went to Campbel- 
town, by way of Tarbert, on Loch Fyne, and remained 
from the 29th to the 3d of September, when he left 
for Rothesay, taking the Tarbert route, and staying 
on his way at the house of the Rev. W. Mackinnon 
at Ballinakill, where many were gathered from various 
parts of Kintyre to meet him. His work at Camp- 
beltown was deeply interesting, and was crowned 
with remarkable blessing. He commenced on Sun- 
day the 30th by three services ; speaking first to 
workers, then on the Blood, and lastly on the grand 
command, " Go ye into all the world and preach the 
gospel to every creature." The result after that last 
address was most striking. Upwards of fifty stood 
up to ask to be prayed for, and to declare their desire 
to be Christians. The meeting had been overcrowded, 
and some went to the Drill-hall, where the gospel 
was preached by willing helpers ; but in the great 
after-meeting in the church, all were united, and it 
was felt to be a time of wonderful enlargement and 
power. On the three following days the interest 
was deepened at successive meetings ; till at the last, 



208 THE VOICE OF REJOICING. 

on Wednesday night, when Mr. Moody had preached 
on God's invitation and man's excuses, a very large 
number were gathered into a hall, either as converts 
or inquirers ; and it was manifest that much fruit had 
been gathered to life eternal. There is the joy of 
seeing many now rejoicing in Jesus, who were wont 
to walk in the shadow of death, and believers are 
learning to work when God is calling in the harvest, 
as it is written, " He is a wise son who gathereth in 
summer." 

It is well known that the Highlanders are intensely 
strong in their religious convictions and preposses- 
sions ; hence many who knew the Highlands were 
afraid that Mr. Moody's preaching would not suit the 
Celtic mind; while Mr. Sankey's songs, it was feared, 
would stir up a perfect storm of opposition in the 
minds of the people. Happily, neither of these pre- 
dictions was verified. Mr. Moody's addresses melted 
the hearts of thousands, while Mr. Sankey's hymns 
have become as great favorites in the Highlands as 
they are in the South of Scotland. In the remote 
Highland glen you may hear the sound of hymn-sing- 
ing ; shepherds on the steep hill-sides sing Mr. 
Sankey's hymns while tending their sheep ; errand 



FAREWELL TO SCOTLAND, 209 

boys whistle the tunes as they walk along the streets 
of the Highland towns ; while in not a few of the lordly 
castles of the north they express genuine feeling. 

A clergyman of the Church of England heard a 
Scotch minister speak of the work in Scotland at the 
Mildmay Conference. He was just on the eve of 
starting for Norway, where he intended to spend his 
holidays. He decided to come to Scotland instead ; 
it was his first visit to the North, and he enjoyed the 
magnificent mountain scenery very much. But he 
enjoyed the spiritual work still more. u Never," said 
he, "have I enjoyed a holiday like this — such breath- 
ings of the Spirit, such holy joy, such delightful meet- 
ings as I have seen during my visit to "Scotland. 
Truly this has been a memorable year for Scotland. 
Let the readers of Times of Blessing pray that Messrs. 
Moody and Sankey's labors may be abundantly blessed 
in their visit to Ireland, and that the winter of toil in 
our great centers of population, to which they are 
looking forward, may be productive of even more 
glorious results than have followed their labors in 
Scotland." 

The farewell to Scotland we must give in the words 
of an eye-witness. It was at the close of the Inverness 



210 HEARTY THANKS. 

Convention. "Mr. Moody referred with very much 
feeling to the work in Scotland. His sentences were 
interrupted by bursts of tears ; he bent over the pulpit 
sobbing, and buried his face in his hands. Among 
the audience the flood of emotion was overpowering ; 
the whole meeting was bathed in tears. It was a 
moment of inexpressible tenderness ; the thoughts and 
feelings of past months came rushing back in a tor- 
rent. Mr. Moody said if he had given offense to any 
one since he came to Scotland, he now asked to be 
forgiven. He would leave Scotland with a sigh, and 
he hoped that he and his dear friend Mr. Sankey 
would be remembered affectionately in prayer at 
many a Scottish hearth, as they went further in their 
work. The last nine months had been the dearest in 
his life. He was leaving friends who would be ever 
dear to him, and whose kindness he could never for- 
get. Some had departed, especially the honored 
friend (Principal Fairbairn) who had opened the 
Glasgow Convention, and had there delivered a speech 
that stirred every heart, and was said to be the 
speech of his life. In conclusion, he wished to do 
what he had not done before — to thank briefly those 
who had furthered his work. First, he had to thank 



DWELLING IN UNITY. 211 

the ministers. From them he had received nothing 
but kindness ; all denominations had cordially worked 
with him. " As a layman, I did not expect it. And 
Mr. Sankey and I have received far warmer welcome 
than we deserved. Secondly, we owe our gratitude 
to the Press. Little has been written we could object 
to. Wherever we have gone, the Press has given us 
a helping hand, and aided in the success of our work. 
Thirdly, I have to thank the young men of Scotland, 
who, wherever I have gone, have rallied round me in 
such a remarkable way. To officers of the church, to 
parents, and all others who have aided us, I return 
my thanks. There has not been one word of strife 
or discord among the fellow-laborers all these months ; 
and even in the open meetings, which some supposed 
would open the door to animosities and stupidity, 
there has been nothing objectionable. God has won- 
derfully kept us. And now, will you let God's Spirit 
go on working? Very much more may be done. 
Dear friends, farewell ! May God bless you, and by 
and by may we meet on the eternal shore ! " 

Of the spirit in which the work had been prose- 
cuted, and in which he now looked toward Ireland, 
a hint was given in his Bible-reading, when he said 



212 DWELLING IN UNITY. 

that in considering what should be the subject for the 
Bible-reading, he thought what was it he wanted 
most himself. When nine months ago he came to 
Scotland a perfect stranger, he felt utterly powerless, 
and could only have been sustained by the Holy 
Spirit's help ; now when he was going to Ireland he 
felt just the same ; and if he attempted to go there 
resting upon the grace given for Scotland he should 
fail. He needed a fresh anointing for this new 
service. 

In this spirit of entire reliance upon the Lord, Mr. • 
Moody contemplated the Irish field. God honors 
those who honor Him. We shall see how much this 
confidence in the Lord was justified by the results of 
effort in Ireland. 



CHAPTER V. 

THE NORTH OF IRELAND. 

Belfast is the capital of Ulster, the northernmost 
of the four provinces of Ireland. It is also the capi- 
tal of the Presbyterianism which has become a prom- 
inent feature of Ulster, and of which the United 
States contain so many representatives, the emigra- 
tion to the Western world having proceeded for a 
century and a half. Belfast has, probably, a popula- 
tion of over one hundred and fifty thousand persons ; 
it is marked by much enterprize and activity. It is 
not only nearest to Scotland, but it is more like Scot- 
land in habits and feeling than any other town in 
Ireland. 

As far back as the month of January, the people of 
Belfast were promised a visit from Messrs. Moody 
and Sankey in May. But other duties interfered. 
They reached Belfast on Saturday the 5th of Sep- 
tember (1874). A local committee had made arrange- 
ments for their services. 



214 BELFAST. 



On the first Sabbath an early meeting at eight a.m. 
was announced for Donegal Square Wesleyan Church, 
of Christian workers, chiefly Sabbath-school teachers 
and office-bearers in churches. By the time the hour 
for opening arrived, the aisles were occupied as well 
as the pews. Ministers of all the evangelical denom- 
inations were present. The One Hundredth Psalm — 
so often employed in Scotland ; Mr. Sankey's hymns ; 
prayers by Rev. W". Park ; an address by Mr. Moody, 
on the things God employed, base, weak, foolish; a 
sermon in one of the largest Presbyterian churches 
at noon ; the building over-crowded ; the service be- 
gun before the time, and a similar service in St. 
Enochs', the very largest church-edifice in the place — 
these gave to at least five thousand persons the oppor- 
tunity to hear the truth, many of them neglectors of 
the sanctuary. 

Next day, a noon prayer-meeting was begun, and 
Mr. W. A. Breakey thus describes the progress of the 
evangelists' labors. The Donegal Place Wesleyan 
Church was the place. 

" The building was crowded long before the hour 
of commencing. There were present Rev. J. W. 
M'Kay, Rev. Dr. Applebe, Rev. Henry Osborne, Rev. 



EXTEMPORIZED SERVICES. 215 

George Shaw, Rev. J. B. Wylie, Rev. William John- 
ston, Rev. William Park, Rev. H. M. Williamson, 
and many ministers from the country districts around. 
It was felt that it would be necessary in future to 
move to the largest of our central churches; and it 
was temporarily arranged that the noon meeting 
should be held in the May Street Presbyterian 
Church till further notice. Mr. Sankey sang as 
usual, both in leading the congregation and solos, 
accompanied by the organ. The address by Mr. 
Moody on prayer was well-timed and earnest. Mr. 
Johnston, Mr. Williamson, Mr. Osborne, Mr. Sankey, 
and others led in prayer. The evening meeting was 
announced for Rosemary Street Presbyterian Church 
at eight p. m. This church is capable of accommodat- 
ing about two thousand persons, and at seven it was 
quite full; and those who arrived afterward could 
barely get inside the porch, just to hear that there 
was no possibility of their getting into the church. 
Messrs. Moody and Sankey having arrived at half- 
past seven, commenced the service immediately, it 
having been announced by the Rev. Mr. Park that 
two more churches would be opened, viz., Donegal 
Street Independent Church, and Donegal Square 



216 SEPARATE GATHERINGS. 

Wesleyan Church. Thither many went; but not- 
withstanding the crowd remained. Mr. Sankey sang 
two of his solos, and led the congregation in two other 
pieces. Mr. Moody addressed the people from the 
text, i There is no difference.' The manner in which 
he applied the numerous anecdotes he tells made the 
message most powerful, and a great many remained 
to be spoken to on the all-important question. There 
was also an after-meeting for inquirers in the Inde- 
pendent Church, to which Mr. Sankey went just be- 
fore Mr. Moody commenced his address. Rev. Mr. 
Johnston, Rev. John White, Rev. James Robertson, 
Presbyterian, Independent, and Wesleyan respective- 
ly, addressed and took part in that meeting." 

A meeting for women only was tried in Fisherwick 
Place Church ; Rev. H. M. Williamson, pastor, pre- 
sided. The large church was crowded. Mr. Moody 
addressed the assembly. An evening meeting, for 
men only, was tried in Rosemary Street Presbyterian 
Church. About fifty inquirers remained for an after 
conversational meeting. Both were continued. 

On Wednesday, 9th September, the noon meet- 
ing was held in May Street Church, which was 
crowded, as was the meeting for women assembled in 



AVOWING CONVICTION. 217 

Fisherwick Place Church. At eight p.m. another 
crowded meeting for men was held in Rosemary 
Street Church. The Donegal Street Independent 
Church was opened for a general meeting of men and 
women, and it too was largely attended. Mr. Sankey 
and others addressed it. Many in both places re- 
mained for the after-meetings. This being the usual 
evening for prayer-meetings in the various Presbyte- 
rian churches, it was remarked that the attendance at 
them was if anything larger than usual. There is an 
evident stirring among God's people to keep pleading 
w r ith Him. While Mr. Moody preached, many prayed. 
The committee of arrangements announced a week 
in advance the chairman and the subjects for the 
noonday prayer-meeting. At the evening meeting 
for men only (the division became necessary from 
want of a larger building,) the attendance was very 
large. Mr. Moody, after prayer, asked the body of 
the house to be cleared, and requested those who 
wanted to be Christians, and those who had professed 
to become Christians the night before, to come into 
the place reserved for them. During the singing of 
the hymn, " I Hear Thy welcome Yoice," he asked 
those who really were anxious not to be afraid to 
10 



218 AVOWING CONVICTION 

show it. Almost the first who came forward were 
two soldiers, — one a color-sergeant of the Thirteenth 
Regiment, stationed here. This had a good effect, 
and gave courage to several more timid ones. There 
were, say, forty at least who thus came forward, and 
several ministers and Christian friends conversed with 
them — sometimes individually, sometimes in groups 
of twos and threes. It was very solemn to watch 
them anxiously stooping forward, listening to the old, 
old story of the way of life. It was noticeable how 
easy speaking was to the class ef young men who are 
in Sabbath-schools — how useful their stock of scrip- 
tural information is in such circumstances ; an intelli- 
gent faith is the simplest mode of description which 
can be given of their grasp of the truth. It was felt 
that this was indeed a blessed night to many. Some 
went away still anxious ; others with beaming coun- 
tenances, in which might almost be read that ttey 
had found peace. 

So the meetings proceeded from day to day. The 
little boys who used to be seen selling newspapers on 
the streets, supplied themselves with a stock of 
Sankey's melodies, and plied the passers-by with, 
" Hymn-books with songs sung at Moody and San- 



THE WOMEN'S MEETING 219 

key's meetings ! " Large numbers of these were put 
in circulation. 

On Saturday a children's meeting was held in May 
Street Church at noon — Mr. Sankey presiding. The 
church was crowded, the day being fine. Perhaps a 
little better than one-half were children, a great many 
of their parents being present with them. Rev. 
Messrs. Shaw, Park, Robertson, Dr. "Watts, "Woods, 
etc., and Charles Finlay, Esq-., J.P., were present. 
Rev. John White and others led in prayer. Rev. 
Mr. Robertson (Wesley an), gave an excellent address. 
Mr. Sankey was there, sang " When He cometh," 
and addressed the children suitably. Mr. Charles 
Finlay prayed. Among the requests for prayer read, 
was one which Dr. Watts stated was for a young man 
who had recently adopted materialistic views. 

At the end of the first week the Rev. Wm. Park 
writes : 

" The meetings have been immense. With the 
exception of the first two evening meetings, when 
the crowd was overwhelming, they have been calm, 
quiet, earnest, almost beyond description. The wo- 
men's meeting at 2 o'clock has been most popular. 
But the deepest impression seems to have been made 



220 m THE OPEN AIR. 

on young men. Fifty or sixty would be a very 
moderate average of those who have attended from 
night to night the inquirers' meeting, and on last 
evening the number seemed larger than ever. It 
was most interesting last night to go from seat to 
seat, and, in answer to questions asked, to hear such 
replies as these: 'Yes, sir, I think I found Christ 
here on Monday night ; ' ' I gave Christ my heart on 
Wednesday night;' 'I should so wish to trust in 
Christ, but I cannot come.' It is hard to move 
young men in a busy town like Belfast; and the 
presence of so many in the inquiry rooms, and the 
tears which so many were shedding freely, proved 
plainly how deeply they are moved now. We do 
not know, of course, how this movement may pro- 
ceed, and we must be very cautious in counting up 
results, but we thank God for what He is doing." 

On Sabbath, the 13th September, Mr. Moody held 
a second meeting for Christian workers, at the early 
hour of eight, and the place was crowded, so that the 
overflow filled an adjoining room. The address was 
touching entire consecration to God, and more whole- 
hearted activity in his service. An open-air meeting 
was held at half -past two o'clock in an open space, in 



MILL-WORKERS. 221 

the midst of the mill-workers of our town. The 
attendance was estimated variously at from ten to 
twenty thousand ! The weather was exceedingly 
favorable. Mr. Moody's address was founded upon 
Mark xvi. 15, " Go ye into all the world, and preach 
the gospel to every creature." Mr. Sankey sang " Jesus 
of Nazareth passeth by," and the glistening eye, and 
the deep sighs of many, showed that it was even so. 

In the evening, Mr. Moody held a meeting exclu- 
sively for inquirers; none else were admitted : the 
attendance was upwards of three hundred. 

At the meeting for women, on Monday, in Fisher- 
wick Place, there were present about fifteen hundred. 
An evening meeting for women was held, to give 
to workers in mills and warehouses opportunity to 
attend. More than an hour before the time of meet- 
ing, the streets around were packed with a dense mass 
of women ; and when the gates were opened, the 
place was filled almost in a moment; and after that, 
with the overflow, three large churches. In all these 
meetings, the anxious, willing to be spoken to, were 
more than could be overtaken. 

Strangers from long distances visited Belfast to 
attend the meetings, and in this way the work was 
widely extended. 



222 MILL-WORKERS. 



The most marked features were desire to hear the 
"Word of God, willingness to be spoken to upon the 
state of the soul, frank confession on the part of many 
that they do not savingly know Jesus ; and most blessed 
of all, the equally frank confession on the part of many 
that they have " found Him of whom Moses, in the 
law and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth." 

On Thursday, 17th September, the number waiting 
to be spoken to was so great, that an attempt to speak 
to each individually was scarcely made. Two or three 
addresses w T ere given with the view of pointing them 
to the Lamb of God. 

The Friday mid-day meeting was for professing 
Christians — the subject " Assurance." 

The work began, meantime, to spread to the adja- 
cent towns. Meetings were held for some four nights 
in Bangor, ten miles from Belfast, by H. Moorhouse, 
Rev. II. M. "Williamson, and some others, and consid- 
ering the size of the town, the attendance there was 
equally remarkable. 

An intelligent observer, from the center of Ireland, 
thus described his impressions of the meeting on the 
second Sabbath. It may stand for the description of 
many similar occasions : 



MILL-WORKERS. 223 



"The opening prayer, by the Moderator of the 
General Assembly, could be heard everywhere, and 
distinctly too, by all that vast multitude. It was 
really in the Holy Ghost. All were brought unto 
God's presence for a blessing. To be in the open air, 
it was extraordinary; the people must have felt them- 
selves being lifted up right into the presence of God. 

" Mr. Sankey then sang, alone, ' Jesus of Nazareth 
passeth by.' It was not difficult to hear him every- 
where, as there was scarce a stir, and God was really 
arresting the people, who were eagerly drinking in 
every utterance of that sweet hymn, so full and so 
fragrant of i Jesus only.' 

" During the address, it seemed as if some mighty 
spell was binding the people, and riveting their atten- 
tion. Mr. Moody preached from ' Go ye into all the 
world, and preach the gospel to every creature.' 
I never heard the gospel outside preached with such 
power before ; all could hear ; all might take. As I 
stood listening, I could not help saying to myself, 
' Oh, if I was a sinner unsaved, I could be saved here 
to-day a thousand times over,' as the Lord Jesus was 
set forth in such a variety of ways. But I am certain 
as the faithful word was proclaimed with burning 



224 MILL-WORKEBS. 



heart and Up, that not a few were taken out of them- 
selves and put right into ' the arms of Jesus.' God's 
dear children, too, were surely quickened and blessed. 
I could hear the ' Amen,' and /praise,' and ' thank 
God,' as the word came down in the power of the 
Holy Ghost upon that great audience, going up from 
the hearts of many of them. 

" Mr. Moody said, ' God has put it into the hearts 
of these ministers to call this meeting to-day. Now, 
I have a full and free salvation for every one of you, 
for the worst of you, and the best of you. The gospel 
is for the very dregs of sin and sorrow ; the apostles 
might reason concerning this man and that man, and 
this people and that people ; and say, i Oh, there's no 
use in my going there.' But, in the face of the com- 
mand, all must vanish, for they had a gospel for all, 
i for every creature.' Those who will not take eternal 
life, their damnation is sure." 

Some idea may be formed of the interest felt in the 
meetings from the circumstance that for the second 
daily meeting for women, in Rosemary Street Church, 
an immense congregation assembled an hour before the 
time for commencing, when it was found necessary to 
close the gates. By this time a disappointed crowd 



A PROTRACTED MEETING. 225 

had assembled, and. after some delay, it was announced 
that May Street Presbyterian Church, Donegal Place 
Primitive Wesleyan Church, and Donegal Square 
Wesleyan Church would be opened for the " overflow." 
To these both men and women were admitted. 

After the Friday evening meeting, when the Rev. 
T. T. Killen had closed with prayer, Mr. Moody asked 
those in the assembly who had not accepted Christ, 
and yet wished to do so, to stand up. Mr. Moody said, 
truly, " Thank God, I can't count them, there are so 
many !" He then invited those in the gallery down, 
and directed the spectators and others present to 
leave, and clear a space in the body of the church, in 
order that the inquirers might be conversed with. 
A large number came forward, far more than at any 
preceding meeting, and it was with difficulty the 
church could be cleared at a reasonable hour, owing 1 
to the groups in conversation with troubled ones 
scattered through the church. Rev. Hugh Hanna 
dismissed the meeting, after prayer. 

The Saturday (19th September) meeting, in May 
Street, was for the young, and was conducted by Mr. 
Sankey. The attendance was so great, that after the 
aisles were filled, the doors had to be locked, and many 



226 AN AWAKENED TEACHER. 

turned away. Mr. Sankey was followed by Revs. Dr. 
Knox, Hugh Hanna, and George Shaw. Several 
hymns and the Twenty-third psalm were sung. It was 
a delightful meeting, and the children seemed to enjoy 
it heartily. 

The Rev. "William Park, the faithful chronicler of 
the work (successor to Eev. John MacNaughton), 
writes at the close of the second week : " The after 
meetings are, in their own way, as crowded as the 
regular services. The lecture-room and two class- 
rooms of Rosemary Street were filled each evening 
with men and women waiting to be spoken to person- 
ally ; and, on two occasions, personal dealing with in- 
dividual souls could not be carried out on account of 
the vast numbers to be dealt with, and general state- 
ments of the plan of salvation, by one after another, 
had to be resorted to instead. Many will come out, 
under the influence of feeling no doubt — especially in 
an assembly of women. But the private conversa- 
tions we have had with many, both men and women, 
show how wide-spread, and, in a multitude of instances, 
how deep is this religious earnestness, this longing 
after Christ. ' I have been teaching a Sabbath-school 
class for years,' said one young lady, ' and the awful 



VISITORS. 227 



thought laid hold of me the other evening here, that 
I have been teaching what I knew nothing about ; 
but I have really given myself to my Saviour now.' 
' Pray for me/ writes a mother, ' that my unfaithful- 
ness to my own sons, none of whom are converted, 
may be forgiven, and that my mouth may be opened 
to speak to them about salvation.' ' I believe I found 
Christ here two nights ago,' said a voung man one 
evening, ' and I have brought two of my companions 
here, to be talked to to-night.' * I knew the truth,' 
writes another, ' But I never seemed to feel it before. 
I trust I can now say and feel that Christ has found 
me, even me, cold-hearted and dead as I was.' Need 
I tell you there are difficulties and hindrances ? And 
yet the Lord has been pleased, so far, wondrously to 
open the door for His servants ; and, as far as I am 
aware, at no time has there been so deep a religious 
feeling abroad in our town and province since 1859, as 
there is at this moment. Ministers, elders, Christian 
men and women, are coming from far and near to 
hear the good news, to see the good work. We have 
several ministers and friends from Scotland here at 
present. May they carry home with them good 
tidings ; may they be stirred up themselves, and be 



228 CHBIST1AN UNION. 

used by the Holy Spirit as the means of stirring up 
others." 

In the Witness, a weekly religious paper which 
has done good service in diffusing information, the 
catholicity of the movement is emphasized : 

" Not the least gratifying feature of the movement 
is the happy bringing together of all evangelical de- 
nominations to which it has given rise. In all the 
meetings, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, and Metho- 
dists are mixed and mingled without distinction. On 
Monday night, in Rosemary Street Church, the Rev.Mr. 
Dickson, incumbent of the Mariners' Episcopal Church, 
was one of the busiest among the inquirers ; and on 
Tuesday evening, the Rev. I. H. Deacon, incumbent 
of Trinity Episcopal Church, occupied the pulpit of 
Eglinton Street Presbyterian Church. If the present 
stirring do nothing more than help to banish the bitter- 
ness of sectarianism, and lead Christian men to live and 
work in accordance with the truth that we are all one 
body in Christ, it will have wrought unquestionably a 
work for which none can be too thankful." 

On the third Sabbath the " overflow " from the 
8 o'clock morning meeting filled two other large 
buildings. A second open-air meeting was held, as 



WORKERS WANTED. 229 

before ; and, at a meeting of anxious inquirers in the 
Ulster Hall, the largest building in town, at 7, 
the area of that building was as full as it could com- 
fortably be for the purposes of the meeting about 
half-past 6. Rev. Mr. Park, Rev. Dr. Murphy, and 
subsequently several other ministers in town, and 
many Christian workers, were in attendance to con- 
verse with them. Many professed to have had their 
doubts removed. Mr. Moody and Mr. Sankey left 
the meeting in charge of the ministers, and at 9 
o'clock went to May Street Church, to a large meet- 
ing of men assembled there, which Mr. Moody stated 
he had specially convened in order to enlist young 
men in active Christian work. 

Four crowded meetings were held on Monday 
(21st Sept.), and the Tuesday evening meeting was 
announced for St. Enoch's at 8 o'clock, but as early 
as half-past 5 there were persons "waiting for the 
gates to be opened. The meeting was commenced by 
the Rev. Mr. Hanna, pastor of the church, at a 
quarter-past 7. Rev. Mr. Ballard, Rev. Dr. Knox, 
Mr. Sankey, and others took part in the meeting. 
About one-half of the assembly waited for an after 
meeting. This was taken charge of by the Rev. 



230 SCRIP TUBE-SEARCHING. 

Messrs. Hanna, Henry, Carlisle, and Shaw. Mr. 
Moody asked the anxious to retire to Ekenhead 
Church, which was speedily almost filled. There 
cannot have been less than a couple of hundred who 
came over here to be talked to by ministers and 
Christian workers, and among them were many in- 
teresting cases. Eglinton Presbyterian Church was 
opened about half-past 7 o'clock for the " overflow " 
from St. Enoch's, and the Rev. Mr. Deacon, Episcopal 
Church, took the chair there. Rev. Mr. Macintosh 
and others spoke. The Frederick Street Wesleyan 
Church was also opened for the " overflow." 

On the 23d, a new feature was introduced to Bel- 
fast, namely, a Bible-reading by Mr. Moody at 2 
o'clock in Fisherwick Place Church. He urged upon 
all the necessity of systematic and regular Bible- 
reading, recommending the plan of reading and com- 
paring the various passages on a particular subject, and 
exhausting it before proceeding to another. In the 
evening, more than an hour before the time appointed, 
St. Enoch's Church was crowded, so that the meeting 
practically commenced at a quarter-past 7. Rev. 
Messrs. Hanna and Robertson took part in the service, 
and Mr. Sankey led the singing. Inquirers, as be- 
9* 



CONCURRENT MEETINGS. 231 

fore, were directed to retire to Ekenhead Church, 
while the young men were sent to the men's meeting 
in May Street. About one-half of the assembly in 
St. Enoch's remained for an after meeting, conducted 
by Rey. Messrs. Simpson, Spence, Black, and Han- 
na. Ekenhead Church was filled with inquirers. 

On Saturday, 26th September, the noonday meet- 
ing for children was held in May Street Church. 
The attendance was so large that it was necessary 
to close the gates, and many left disappointed. 

The Rey. TV. Park says, after the third week's la- 
bors : " St. Enoch's, Mr. Moody says, is one of the 
largest churches, if not the largest, he has preached 
in, in Europe, and it is full every night an hour be- 
fore the time. A separate church has now been taken 
for the inquirers, and they pass to it from St. Enoch's 
as soon as Mr. Moody's address is concluded. Minis- 
ters and Christian workers make their way to it about 
the same time, and no one else is admitted. Thus 
perfect quiet is insured. The 2 o'clock meeting is no 
longer set apart for women. It is a Bible-reading, 
and all are admitted. And eyery evening there are 
now five meetings in fiye different churches, including 
the inquiry-meeting and the young men's meeting. 



232 LONGING SOULS SATISFIED. 

u There are one or two things which maybe noticed 
with regard to the week's work. Christians are be- 
ing deeply moved and roused to diligence and duty. 
Last Sabbath morning the meeting for Christian 
workers, which had been removed to May Street 
Church on account of its size, filled every corner of 
the building ten minutes before 8 o'clock, and its 
overflowings filled two other places of meeting besides. 
Many are now offering themselves, Christian women 
as well as men, to engage in the work of directing 
inquirers, and they now find their own souls stirred t 
and their faith strengthened in their efforts to guide 
and comfort others. I believe that in no other town 
which Mr. Moody has visited has there been such a 
number of anxious inquirers from the very outset as 
in Belfast. There seems to have been a mighty 
movement at work unseen for months past among 
young men and women — an anxious longing after 
Christ, w T hich made itself felt and seen at once when 
these special services began. The meeting in the 
Ulster Hall on last Sabbath evening was one of the 
most precious and happy services I have ever attend- 
ed. It was held at 7 o'clock, to prevent ordinary 
church-going people coming to fill up the space which 



" OTHERS MOCKING." 233 

was required for others. £J"o one was admitted at 
the door but those who wished to be talked with 
about salvation, and those who had tickets from the 
committee as workers. The immense hall was not 
too large for the numbers who came. Two hours 
were spent in earnest private conversation. Then all 
gathered into the floor of the hall, and every one who 
had a text to repeat was asked to rise and give it. 
Many of the most precious promises of God's word 
were thus brought out, accompanied sometimes with 
a single sentence of explanation or illustration. One 
or two hymns were sung, and some prayers offered 
up ; but even after Mr. Moody left many remained, 
unwilling to leave till they could find rest in Christ. 
I do believe that many in that meeting were enabled 
by the Holy Spirit to receive and rest on the Lord 
Jesus Christ as He was freely offered to them in the 
gospel. If, from this circle of seekers and believers, 
we pass to the outer circle of mere spectators, their 
feelings and words are of the most varied kind. 
Some hate this revival work with a bitter hatred. 
Some mock it and caricature the workers and their 
work. But not a few feel solemnized as they see 
God's hand so plainly in this movement. They are 



234 REPORTS BLESSED. 

willing to be spoken to about religion, and willing to 
think about what is said. Not a few young men 
who seemed given over to the world and sin, are now 
asking the way to heaven ; and it is touching to see 
these youths, to many of whom we should scarcely 
have ventured to speak about religion before, with 
tears in their eyes, waiting so earnestly to be talked 
to by any Christian about the way of life. Here is 
one of the requests for prayer handed in last Friday : 
i Pray for a young man w T ho has been in deep dark- 
ness and strong temptation, so that he has had 
thoughts of drowning himself, but has now found his 
way to the inquiry-meetings/ Here is another : f A 
young man who is deeply anxious about his state de- 
sires the prayers of this meeting, that he may be 
able to see Jesus as a personal Saviour.' Last Sab- 
bath morning in my own Sabbath-schools, three 
young men presented themselves as teachers. They 
had been brought to Christ at these meetings, and 
wished to work for Him. 

" Nor is the blessing confined to those who hear 
the word w T hich is sung or spoken by those friends 
who are now in the midst of us. In the General 
Hospital at present a young man is lying, suffering 



THE SEARCHES OF THE LORD. 235 

from a severe accident. He had not been at any of 
these meetings. A medical man, who is earnest in 
God's service, went to see him, and talked to him 
about his soul and his sin. On Thursday last he put 
into my hand a letter which he had received from 
him in which he says : : — ' This morning a terror 
seized me, and I am in awful anguish of soul. I see 
how great a sinner I have been, and there is a great 
weight upon my soul. I would like to see you soon.' 
From places at a distance we receive letters, saying 
that the first drops of the blessing have been felt, 
and are being anxiously waited for." 

When men are in earnest in inviting attention to 
God's word, they become ingenious in making fresh 
presentations of its truth ; so, when the Rev. William 
Fleming Stevenson of Rathgar, Dublin, presided at a 
noon-day meeting in May Street, he addressed the 
meeting on the subject of ' ; The Searches of the Lord," 
viz., the search after the lost referred to in Luke xv., 
and the search into the heart referred to in Psalm 
cxxxix. Mr. Moody followed up this by a practical 
address on the necessity of Christians searching their 
hearts, whether they were as actively engaged in 
Christian work as they might be. 



236 jjfEW HEARERS SECURED. 



At the Bible-reading in Fisherwick Place Church 
Mr. Moody's subject was the seven " Beholds," begin- 
ning with Job's confession, " Behold, I am vile," and 
ending with the statement as to Saul of Tarsus, " Be- 
hold, he prayeth." 

A new feature in Belfast was a boys' meeting, com- 
menced in the Linen-hall Church Schools, and ad- 
dressed by Christian gentlemen. 

The correspondent, of whose, judicious and discrim- 
inating reports we have already availed ourselves, 
says, after the fourth week's labor : 

" On two occasions this week we have tried the plan 
of admitting by ticket to the evening service in St. 
Enoch's Church, and have found it to work admi- 
rably. These tickets are given out in some central 
place, and the only condition necessary for receiving 
them is, that the persons who apply have not yet 
been able to hear Mr. Moody and Mr. Sankey. In 
this way these ticketed meetings bring in a new class, 
and enable our brethren to reach three thousand on 
each occasion who have not been reached before." 

At a special meeting for converted young men, to 
which admission was by ticket, nearly four hundred 
appeared. 



THANKS GIVEN. 237 

On Monday Fisherwick Place Church was thrown 
open to inquirers from 2 till 10 o'clock at night. 
These eight hours were divided into three parts, and 
a separate set of ministers arranged to be present at 
each. Other Christian workers came in large num- 
bers; and, though the inquirers were many, there was 
not one but was personally dealt with about salvation. 
Those who took part in it felt it to be one of the most 
profitable evenings since this good work began. In 
more than one case young men from a distance — in 
one or two cases from Scotland — have come to Belfast 
on business, or to attend these meetings, and have 
found the pearl of great price. To-day, at the noon 
prayer-meeting, thanks were returned on behalf* of a 
mother in Edinburgh for the conversion of her son in 
Belfast. This request for prayer was presented yes- 
terday : "A young man who came into town to attend 
these meetings is afraid of returning home without 
Jesus. In the inquiry-meeting last night he was 
pointed to Christy but has not yet found peace." 

There have been instances of Roman Catholics 
and Unitarians convinced of sin at these services, and 
brought to the feet of Jesus. There does not seem, 
speaking generally, to be the same deep and awful 



238 FO TJRTEEN HUNDRED SO ULS. 

sense of sin among those who are awakened as there 
was in 1859, but there is a true feeling of the need of 
Christ as our Sacrifice and our Saviour. 

A young man in one of our large business establish- 
ments found Christ about a fortnight ago at an even- 
ing in Rosemary Street Church. Next day he 
gathered some of the men who are employed in the 
warehouse round him, and spoke to them about the 
meetings. One of them said lightly to him, " What 
sort of meeting had you last night?" "I thought a 
moment," he said, " what reply to make, and then I 
answered, ' That meeting has changed me for life, at 
any rate.' " Less than a week after that man came 
back to tell him that those words had been ringing in 
his ears ever since, and that now he too had become a 
changed man for life. 

The blessing spreads. In Bangor and Carrickfer- 
gus very interesting meetings have been going on, 
and, in the former place especially, there are many 
anxious inquirers. 

At the noon meeting on October 4th, Mr. Moody 
said, " When Mr. Sankey and he were about to leave 
Edinburgh, one thousand four hundred persons pro- 
fessed to have been converted since their arrival. 



MEN CONVEBTED. 239 

People who did not believe in the work, however, 
asserted — with what truth he did not know — that one 
thousand one hundred of these were women, obviously 
hinting that this kind of thing conld only make prog- 
ress among females and weak-minded men. When 
he and his friend went to Glasgow, therefore, they 
made it a special prayer that they might be able to 
refute this notion by being honored in the conversion 
of young men, and this wish was so far gratified, that 
when they were about to leave that city, they held a 
meeting of those who believed that they had been 
brought to Christ since their coming ; and out of the 
three thousand two hundred who attended, one thou- 
sand six hundred and thirty were men. Foiled in 
this point, the enemies of the work now found a new 
cause of fault-finding. They could not deny that 
many men had been blessed, but they affirmed that 
these were not of the class which most needed to be 
wrought among, the abandoned class of the com- 
munity. "When coming to Belfast, therefore, Mr. 
Moody prayed that he might be specially owned in 
doing good to this class ; and his prayer had so far 
been answered, that on the preceding Sabbath even- 
ing, at the meeting of converts held in the Assembly's 



240 A HUNDRED YEARS OLD. 

Hall, May street, the first three who rose to tell that 
they had become changed men were men who had 
been drunkards, one of them acknowledging that 
he had been twice drunk on the previous Sabbath. 
He had also heard of another case where a mother, 
whose heart had been broken by a son who almost 
nightly was brought to her door drunk, now had the 
comfort of seeing him in his right mind. Nowhere, 
in all Europe, had he met with more encouraging re- 
sults than in Belfast." 

At the mid-day prayer-meeting on Friday, a young 
man, well known some time ago as one of the finest 
scholars in Queen's College, Belfast, who carried off 
with ease every honor for which he competed, stood 
up before the crowded assembly, and with deep feel- 
ing, said, " Many here know how careless and prayer- 
less I was, yet some of my Christian friends never 
gave me up, but continued to pray for me. Blessed 
be God, He has heard their prayers, and last Sabbath, 
having sent the arrow of conviction into my soul, He 
enabled me to rejoice in my Saviour. It pleased our 
God and Father to enable me to be much in prayer 
since then ; and thanks be to God, though it is not 
one short week, it seems as if I had lived almost a 



FISHERS OF MEN. 241 

hundred years of Christian life.' 5 Nor is this the 
only literary man of repute that has come under the 
influence of the present movement in Belfast. 

Whatever attracts notice in Belfast, especially in 
religious matters, interests the entire province of Ul- 
ster. Many had heard of, many had seen the work. 
It was no longer confined to Belfast. In Bangor, 
Donaghadee, Carrickfergus, and Bandalstown meet- 
ings were held nightly, and deep religious earnestness 
appeared. The want of a sufficiently large building 
was felt, and a great open-air meeting to supply this 
want was held on October 8th. The Rev. H. M. 
Williamson, successor to the late venerable Dr. Mor- 
gan, writes of it, and also of Mr. Moody'.s last work in 
the town : 

" The joy of last week has almost been forgotten, by 
reason of the greatness of the blessing bestowed upon 
us this week by the God of all grace. It has been to us 
as the waters of the sanctuary in Ezekiel's vision, ever 
increasing in depth until now, when the waters are risen, 
4 they are waters to swim in.' It is a most glorious 
sight to witness the fishers standing upon it from one 
end of the city to the other, and the fish, according 
to their kinds, exceeding many (Ezek. xlvii. 1-10). 
11 



242 SOULS IN DISTRESS 

" Sabbath morning dawned upon us very wet and 
windy. We had fears that it would be impossible for 
the masses of the people to meet in the open air ; but 
a little while before the hour of meeting the rain 
ceased, the sun shone out, and the weather became 
most auspicious. Here let me say it has been most 
noteworthy that, during the last weeks, while we have 
had most inclement weather, every Sabbath-day, and 
at the hour of our great gatherings, it has been all 
that could be desired. To-day, while I write (Octo- 
ber 8th), the day of our great meeting in the Botanic 
Gardens, the sun is shining brightly, and the weather 
more than we asked or expected. Doubtless some 
will say, ' A happy conjunction of circumstances ; ! 
the children of the heavenly Father know Him ' who 
hath gathered the wind in his lists.' 

"Mr. Moody held his usual meeting on Sabbath 
evening for those in deep distress about salvation, and 
for those who had found eternal life during the past 
weeks through faith in Jesus. The meeting was ex- 
clusively for men, and admission solely by ticket. 
The hall in which it was held was completely filled. 
Mr. Moody stated in the noon-day prayer-meeting on 
Monday that, in his judgment, it was the most remark- 



PRAISE TO GOD. 243 

able meeting lie has had yet in Europe. To God be 
all the praise! One after another of these young 
men — and they comprise the very flower of our youth 
— rose, and, with clearness and wonderful felicity of 
expression, in burning words, declared what God had 
done for their souls. At length, at nine o'clock, the 
meeting was closed. 

"Meanwhile another meeting of men was assem- 
bling in my church. It was already very nearly 
filled when we heard the tread of a large company 
approaching. It was a phalanx of these redeemed 
youths. They sang the new song. In a spontaneous 
burst of praise they were telling forth the wonders 
of redeeming love. ]S T o language can describe the 
scene. The heavenly echoes of that burst of praise, 
I think, will never be forgotten by any who heard it. 
The meeting that followed, consisting of some two 
thousand men, I need not say, was one of profound 
interest — Jesus was felt to be in the midst. 

" During each day of this week and at every gath- 
ering, more and more of the presence of the God of 
salvation has been manifested. Let me in a sentence 
or two, describe one, which, in sober language, was 
most wonderful. Mr. Moody addressed on Monday 



244 ACCEPTING CHRIST. 

evening in Fisherwick place Church, a meeting of 
men. At the close of his address, all who had re- 
cently been found by the Good Shepherd, and also 
all who were seeking Him, were requested to retire to 
the adjoining lecture-room. Some six hundred men 
did so. Mr. Moody again sifted them, by requesting 
that those only who were deeply anxious to be saved 
should adjourn to another room. Probably nearly 
three hundred did so. In breathless stillness Mr. 
Moody addressed them, very briefly stating that he 
could do no more for them — that they had heard the 
gospel, and that it was for themselves to decide. He 
called upon them to kneel and pray for themselves. 
They bowed as one man, and now here and there 
might be heard the short cry for mercy — a few earn- 
est words of supplication, probably about thirty or 
forty so cried to God one after the other. Surely the 
Lord is in this place ! was the thought which rose in 
holy fear in the hearts of all. 

" After a short prayer by Mr. Moody, he addressed 
them very faithfully. He again held forth Christ, 
and invited all to rise who felt that they could there 
and then accept Jesus. All of that large company, 
save twenty or thirty, stood up, and solemnly avouched 



SmJUTEEF EXCUSES. 245 

the Lord to be their God. This wonderful sight can- 
not be described. The glory of it cannot be realized 
even by those best acquainted with divine things. 
£ Unto Him that loved us and washed us from our 
sins in his own blood, and hath made lis kings and 
priests unto God and his Father, to Him be glory 
and dominion for ever. Amen ' (Rev. i. 5). 

" Thursday, October 8th, was the gathering of the 
masses in the open-air. The weather was splendid ; 
everything as regards order and decorum, all that any 
of us could wish. It was the largest open-air meet- 
ing I ever attended. I cannot pretend to fix a limit 
to the numbers. He who counts the stars knew the 
history of each present, and what were the dealings 
of his heart with Christ and the free offers of his sal- 
vation. The only regret that seems to be expressed 
by any was, that the services were so short. 

"Mr. Moody addressed the vast multitude from 
the words, ' I pray thee have me excused.' With 
graphic felicity, great clearness, and soul-piercing 
power, he exposed the miserable pretenses by which 
sinners impose upon themselves in refusing a present 
offer of present blessedness. The address seemed to 
strike with convicting power many consciences, and, 



246 REV. DR. KIRKPATRICK. 

from many instances coming under my own observa- 
tion, at the inquiry-meeting in Fisherwick-place 
Church, I have reason to believe in salvation power." 
One of the wisest, purest, most experienced and 
also most cautious clergymen in Ireland is the Rev. 
Dr. Kirkpatrick, the senior minister of Rutland 
Square, Dublin. In a letter to the Irish papers, he 
said : " It is understood that the American evangel- 
ists, Messrs. Moody and Sankey, whose labors in 
Scotland and in the North of England have been 
followed, it is believed, by great spiritual benefit to 
hundreds and thousands of persons, are about to visit 
Dublin, and that the Exhibition Building has been 
engaged for their reception. In prospect of this 
visit, it may interest many of your readers to be 
furnished with some brief account of the services 
which they have been conducting for the last few 
weeks, in the North of Ireland. Having had occa- 
sion to be recently in Belfast, I went to attend one of 
the evening meetings, at which Mr. Moody was to 
give an address. On reaching St. Enoch's, the place 
of meeting, half an hour before the time of service, 
I found the gates locked, the house having been 
filled for near an hour previously. On obtaining ad- 



USE OF AFTER-MEETINGS 217 

mission through the gate, by special favor, I was still 
unable to enter the church, the doors having been se- 
cured to prevent the entrance of a crowd of people 
who had scrambled over the railings. After some 
time I was admitted, and I observed that every avail- 
able spot was occupied in a church which Mr. Moody 
says is larger than any church in which he has ever 
preached in Europe or America. He had proceeded 
towards the conclusion of his address. His words 
were not eloquent in the ordinary acceptation of the 
term ; they were homely, vigorous, pungent, setting 
forth the ( old, old story ' of the cross, and bringing 
it to bear with directness of appeal and intense ear- 
nestness of manner on the consciences of his hearers. 
The immense audience was held in fixed attention, 
nor was there the slightest appearance of levity, in- 
attention, or disorder in any part of the house, that 
came under my observation. Immediately after this 
service I attended a meeting of persons — most of 
them young — who waited to converse with Mr. Moody, 
and with others whom he employed to assist him — 
most of them being ministers — in giving instruction 
to these inquirers. The object proposed by these 
private conferences was to answer questions, to re- 



248 THE MINISTRY HONORED, 

move difficulties and doubts, to confirm purposes of 
good, and to lead to decision in the service of Christ. 
These meetings are uniformly held after Mr. Moody's 
addresses, and there are often fifty or a hundred, 
and sometimes two or even three hundred, who re- 
main for these conferences. 

" On the next day I was present at the mid-day 
prayer-meeting, at which there were from one thou- 
sand two hundred to one thousand five hundred per- 
sons in attendance for an hour every day in the week. 
One of the local clergy presided, and others besides 
Messrs. Moody and Sankey led the assembly in prayer. 
These evangelists always recognize the ordained min- 
istry, and avail themselves of clerical aid in every 
place which they visit. I observed many of the 
clergy mingled with the general audience. 

" At two o'clock, an hour after the close of the 
prayer-meeting, Mr. Moody held what he calls his 
Bible-reading service. On this occasion he read a 
chapter of the Old Testament, illustrating and en- 
forcing its lessons w r ith characteristic energy. Imme- 
diately at the close of his address, Mr. Sankey fol- 
owed with an appropriate hymn, which was sung 
with the most touching pathos, and was well calcu- 



RESULTS IN BELFAST. 249 

lated to deepen the impression made by the appeal 
of Mr. Moody. There are many other special ser- 
vices held by Messrs. Moody and Sankey, but I con- 
fine my statement to what I have myself seen. 

" In reference to this great movement, I remark : — 

" 1. The amount of solid good accomplished, time 
will tell ; but it is surely a matter of vast moment 
that multitudes of people should be roused from their 
ordinary state of spiritual insensibility to inquire 
about the interests of eternity. 

" 2. There are none of those doubtful physical ac- 
companiments which characterized the awakening of 
1859. There is no other excitement than that which 
is produced by the truth of God, brought home to 
the hearts of a listening multitude of awakening 
sinners. 

a 3. The great object of these evangelists seems to 
be to turn sinners from the error of their ways, and 
to bind in loving union believers of every Christian 
denomination. 

"4. The ministers of religion and many of the 
most intelligent and sober-minded Christians recog- 
nize these men as faithful and honored servants of the 
Divine Master. 



250 LONDONDERRY. 



" 5. Messrs. Moody and Sankey go from place to 
place, expecting that God will bless His own truth, 
proclaimed by their lips, and they desire and hope 
that a similar spirit of prayerful expectancy may 
take hold of the people of Dublin." 

Next to Belfast, Londonderry is the most impor- 
tant city in Ulster. It retains the old walls, which 
its siege made memorable, and while a large Roman 
Catholic population finds employment in its manufac- 
tures and trade, the spirit of the place is strongly 
Protestant. The place has long enjoyed very faith- 
ful ministrations in its pulpits. It was visited in the 
early part of October. 

With much cordiality the ministers of all denomi- 
nations joined in the original invitation to Messrs. 
Moody and Sankey, and also assisted iu the further- 
ance of the work. Presbyterian, Wesley an, and In- 
dependent seemed to have but one object and one 
desire — to make the work of revival among the peo- 
ple as general and wide-spread as possible. The First 
Presbyterian Church was selected for holding the 
meetings, as it was the largest and therefore best able 
to accommodate the numbers likely to be present. 

Messrs. Moody and Sankey arrived in Derry from 



AID IN SONG. 251 



Belfast on Saturday evening, and commenced their 
labors on Sunday the 11th Oct.. with the same spirit 
of energy and enthusiasm which carried them through 
so much in Belfast. There were in Mr. Moody's 
discourses the same fertility of illustration and 
pointed application, the same earnestness and sim- 
plicity, the same zeal and enthusiasm, and the same 
intense desire to win souls for his Master. Three 
services on the Sabbath, and the same number on each 
of the following three days of the week, with inquiry- 
meetings each evening, made up his programme, and 
he never seemed to fail either in body or mind. He 
appeared conscious of the shortness of his visit, and 
seemed to grow more earnest in consequence. 

While Mr. Moody faithfully presented the gospel 
Mr. Sankey was no less faithful in his lessons in song. 
"He was so admirably assisted by a local choir as to 
draw a special eulogium from Mr. Moody at one of 
the noon meetings. He said he had heard a great 
many choirs assist at these meetings, but he had 
never yet heard one which sang so sweetly and so 
well as the one which had been organized to assist in 
singing the praises of God in Londonderry. On the 
same occasion he referred to the importance of the 



252 NEW SONGS. 



Church paying greater attention to the subject of 
praise. Some were only for singing the psalms, 
but he thought they should also sing " new songs." 
A new hymn was just as good as a sermon. They 
could sing the gospel into many a man's heart. He 
hoped the Church would feel alive to its duty in this 
matter of praise, and not be hindered by prejudice, 
which is the twin sister of unbelief. 

The opening meeting was intended for Christian 
workers, and Mr. Moody dwelt especially on the sub- 
ject of Christian work, and gave some earnest and 
practical counsel. On the same day two meetings 
were held in the First Presbyterian Church, one at 
four and the other at eight o'clock. The ordinary 
congregational services were conducted in the church 
at twelve o'clock, without, of course, any instru- 
mental accompaniment in the praise. At both 
special services the church was crowded to overflow- 
ing, and the gates had to be closed half an hour be- 
fore the commencement of the service. Indeed, at 
the evening-meeting, the church was filled at seven 
o'clock, the people crowding in such numbers to the 
service. Overflow-meetings were held in the "Wes- 
leyan Chapel, and were well attended, though better 
in the evening than in the afternoon. 



EXCURSION-TRAINS. 253 

On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, three ser- 
vices were held each day, including one children's ser- 
vice. Owing to the heavy downpour of rain on Monday, 
the church was not so well filled as on the other days, 
when the congregations were very large ; but on each 
evening fully two thousand found accommodation in 
the church, filling it from floor to ceiling, while the 
hundreds unable to gain admission went to the Wes- 
leyan Chapel, where they were suitably addressed. 
The concluding meeting on "Wednesday evening was 
especially large, and the services particularly solemn. 
On each occasion the meeting was conducted after 
the style of the meetings in Belfast, — already fa- 
miliar to our readers. 

The audiences were thoroughly representative. 
Young and old of all classes, not only of the inhabi- 
tants of Derry, but of the surrounding districts, for 
miles around, attended. Excursion-trains on the 
Irish North-western Railway and Northern Counties 
Railway brought many into the town, while hundreds 
walked and drove many miles, in order to be present 
at the meetings. The attendances steadily increased 
to the close, and as the last of the services approached, 
there seemed to be a general expression of regret. 



254 SAPPERS AND MINERS. 

A noticeable feature of the meetings was the large 
number of clergymen present at them. 

The prevailing characteristic of all the meetings 
was intense solemnity, but without any undue excite- 
ment. The services seemed to awaken the liveliest 
interest in the public mind, and to produce a marked 
impression. The inquiry-meetings after the first 
night were w T ell attended, large numbers of both 
sexes remaining for conversation and prayer with Mr. 
Moody and the Christian workers who were admitted 
(by ticket) to converse with the anxious. In this re- 
spect every precaution was taken that none but duly 
qualified persons should be admitted. The time oc- 
cupied at these meetings was brief, but the addresses 
and conversations earnest and impressive. The upper 
room was set apart for female inquirers, and the 
lower schoolroom for males. 

The Rev. A. C. Murphy, one of the ministers of 
Londonderry, gives his impressions of the men and 
their aptitudes in such a way as indicates that min- 
isters have something to learn from them. 

"Better sappers and miners of spiritual indiffer- 
ence, and the infidelity that is born of sinful living, 
could not be found. In addition to his astonishing 



THE TWO BOOKS. 255 

vigor and versatility of thought, and his keen sympa- 
thy with all the familiar movements of the human 
heart, the speaker's organizing faculty and instructive 
wisdom give him an all but absolute sway over large 
assemblies; while the ' sweet singer 5 who accompa- 
nies him always manages to hit the mood of the mo- 
ment by some appropriate cadence of joy or tender- 
ness. The audience are never allowed to weary, and 
wish one part of the service ended before the next 
part has begun. Even the least affected go away 
rather regretting than relieved that the exercises are 
over. It would do a world of good if those who are 
in the habit of conducting public prayers would learn 
from Mr. Moody the triple virtue of brevity, of point, 
and of confining themselves more or less closely to 
the matter in hand. Ministers, as a rule, have little 
idea what damage is done by long, vague, expository 
prayers. The Bible lecture, again, is, in its way, an 
excellent mode of instruction, substituting as it does 
for the logical treatment of a subject the more popu- 
lar treatment by association of ideas. It is, besides, 
peculiarly appropriate in Mr. Moody's mouth, as his 
two principal studies are the word of God and the 
book of the human heart." 



256 THE ANXIO US ONL Y. 

After this four days' visit to Londonderry, the 
evangelists returned to Belfast. The Rev. Mr. Park 
thus describes two further meetings : 

" Admission was to be by ticket, and for four days 
we were busily engaged giving out these tickets. 
Great care was exercised that none but anxious in- 
quirers should receive them for the one evening, and 
none but those who made a credible profession of 
having been brought to Christ during the past few 
weeks for the other. The name and address of the 
applicants were taken down, and the name of the con- 
gregation with which they professed to be connected, 
so that every minister may obtain a correct list of his 
own people who have been moved and blessed. As 
far as we can judge, we gave out somewhere about 
two thousand two hundred tickets for the first meet- 
ing, and about two thousand for the second. That is 
to say, more than four thousand persons profess to 
have been brought under serious concern about salva- 
tion, or to have accepted Christ, during the past few 
weeks. We cannot pronounce on all, or indeed on 
any of these cases ; we must wait to see the fruit of 
the new birth in the life and conduct. But the mere 
fact that such a vast number have professed to be 



ILLUMINATING TEXTS. 257 

anxious or to be converted shows how wide-spread and 
mighty this movement must have been. 

" Among those who came to get tickets, there were 
many cases of the deepest interest. One man had 
attended some of the services at the beginning. He 
had then fallen iH of fever, and as he lay in the hos- 
pital, he thought over what he had heard, and came 
out of it, he believed, a new man. By far the great- 
est number who told us about themselves were able 
to point to some text or texts of Scripture which had 
been to their souls a window through which they saw 
the truth. John iii. 16 and John vi. 37, seem to have 
been useful to hundreds; John i. 12 and 1 John i. 7, 
were very precious to many : John iii. 14 and 15 had 
enabled others to see the simplicity of the way of sal- 
vation. Matt. xi. 28 and John xiv. 1 seem to be not 
only full of comfort for Christians, but full of guid- 
ance and comfort also for the anxious and inquiring. 
Isa. liii. was often quoted as the passage on which 
the soul was resting, and sometimes 1 Pet. ii. 24. Rev. 
iii. 20 was mentioned by others who had opened the 
door to the Saviour who knocked so long. It is well 
that those who have to instruct inquirers should know 
these passages, which have been useful to so many. 



258 A SOUL WAITED FOR. 

"How can I describe these two great meetings? 
On Thursday night 'I After those who had inquirers' 
tickets and those who had workers' tickets were ad- 
mitted, five or six hundred of the general public 
were accommodated in the galleries. Amid breath- 
less silence, Mr. Moody preached to an audience of 
nearly three thousand persons, taking up text after 
text, trying to make the way of salvation plain and 
easy, and pressing home the truth upon every heart. 
Earnestly did he urge the duty of immediate de- 
cision. When he had finished, Mr. Sankey sang 
i The farewell hymn,' and the assembly was at once 
dismissed, to go home, and think, and pray. Great 
numbers were in tears. Many were unwilling to 
leave the church. At length all seemed to have gone 
away, and the lights were put out, when the minister 
of the church (Mr. Hanna), passing down the aisle, 
thought he saw dimly some figures in a pew. He 
found two women waiting with a companion, who 
was in deep anxiety about her soul. He took them 
into the vestry ; he talked to her and prayed with her. 
He asked her companions to pray for her also, which 
they did ; and before she left the room the darkness 
had passed, and the brightness of pardon and peace 
was shining in her face." 



DUBLIN. 259 



From Belfast, the brethren proceeded to Dublin. 
It was a hopeful sign that a well-attended noon prayer- 
meeting was in operation, that a great body of the 
ministers had agreed together as to the mode of opera- 
tions. At a prayer-meeting during the week before 
the arrival of the evangelists, the Rev. Dr. Marrable, 
Rector of St. Andrews, read the opening of Ezekiel 
xxxvii., which, by a happy coincidence, formed part of 
the Scripture for reading in the Episcopal service, on 
the Sabbath when the evangelists were to commence. 
The preparations had been very thorough. 

A central building, called the Metropolitan Hall, 
was secured on the north side of the city for the daily 
noon prayer-meeting. It has capacity to seat almost 
two thousand people. On the south side £500 had been 
paid for a month's occupancy of the Exhibition Palace, 
also central, where were held the daily evening meet- 
ing, and the afternoon service on the Lord's day. 
This is a huge glass building, capable of seating in its 
center aisle and transept about twelve thousand per- 
sons, and affording numerous rooms for after and in- 
quiry meetings. Part of it had been screened off, suf- 
ficient to accommodate five or six thousand people, 
and seats had been made for four thousand, to be 
added to as the demand for accommodation increased. 



260 THE EXHIBITION PALACE. 

There was a thorough working committee, com- 
posed of ministers and laymen of all the evangelical 
churches, and the unity prevailing was an excellent 
beginning and foretaste of the blessing we expect. 

We infer from the reports that concerning no 
town yet visited had there been such deep anxiety. 
It was the first where the Protestants are few 
and the Roman Catholics many; it is the capital 
of the country, and especially of the Roman Catholic 
population of the country. 

"For the first time," says the Rev. James S. 
Fletcher, Incumbent of St. Barnabas, Dublin, " and 
in connection with this movement, have we seen the 
clergy of all the evangelical churches working cor- 
dially together, without the least shade of envy or 
party spirit — all feeling that they are workers in the 
same holy cause, children of the same Father, servants 
of the same gracious Master. 

"On Sunday last the Christians of Dublin wit- 
nessed a sight to gladden their hearts. It has been 
estimated that at the first service at 4 o'clock from 
twelve to fifteen thousand persons , were in the 
palace. Never before was it put to so blessed a use. 
I am persuaded that in future years many a dear child 



THE REV. HAMILTON MAGEE. 261 

of God will remember it with, deepest gratitude, and 
will say, ' I was born there. 5 

"The weather being beautifully fine, the attend- 
ance increased each succeeding evening. On Monday 
evening, and again on Tuesday evening, Mr. Moody 
spoke of Jesus coming 'to seek and to save that 
which was lost, 5 interspersing his discourse with many 
forcible illustrations. The following evening his sub- 
ject was the powerlessness of the Law to save, and 
then he set forth Jesus as the only and all-sufficient 
Saviour. Thursday and Friday evenings were de- 
voted to showing the necessity of Spiritual Regenera- 
tion. On all these occasions the Lord Jesus was 
lifted up, and every eye and every heart directed to 
Him. Will He not fulfill His gracious promise — ' I, 
if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto Me ? 5 Blessed 
be His name, already we can tell of many having been 
so drawn. 55 

The Rev. Hamilton Magee writes : 

" The noon-day prayer-meeting in the Metropolitan 
Hall continues to grow in numbers, interest, and 
power. At the meeting to-day Mr. Moody presided ; 
and the hall, which accommodates more than two 
thousand three hundred persons, was filled in every 



262 THE UNIVEBSAL DISEASE. 

part. The eagerness of the people to be present is 
something wonderful, and there are abundant and 
increasing tokens of the presence of the ever-blessed 
Spirit of God. 

" Mr. Moody seems jealous lest the attention of the 
people should be directed too much to him. He is 
ever pointing them to God himself as the Author of 
blessing and Source of power. Indeed, it is this 
losing sight of himself in God which seems to me to 
constitute one of the great secrets of his success. 

" In all our meetings hitherto, little or no reference 
has been made, by name, either to Protestants or to 
Roman Catholics. This is, in the judgment of most 
of us, as it should be. Mr. Moody is exceedingly 
careful in this matter not to give needless offense, or 
provoke opposition that might be avoided. He ad- 
dresses sinners as such — telling them the very same 
' old, old story ' of redeeming love, or, as a good man 
known to us has put it, he deals with the catholic or 
universal disease of sin, and the catholic remedy pro- 
vided in the gospel. The disease has affected us all 
equally; the remedy is provided for and offered to us 
all equally. There is here no distinction of persons. 
His method in this matter constitutes one great secret 



REV. J. G. PHILLIPS. 263 

of Mr. Moody's peculiar adaptation for evangelistic 
work among the mixed audiences that gather around 
him in a city like ours." 

In Times of Blessing, November 12, 1874, the 
Rev. J. G. Phillips writes : 

" To a stranger attending one of the services of 
these American evangelists, it would seem as if they 
were addressing a Dublin audience for the first time, 
the crowds are so great and the interest evinced is so 
intense. Day after day every meeting is crowded. 
Neither time, distance, nor weather, appears to have 
much effect in diminishing the number of those who 
attend. On Monday morning, the 2d inst., as the 
rain was coming down very heavily at the hour for 
the noon gathering, and had been doing so for some 
time previously, I thought there would be but a very 
small attendance at the prayer-meeting; but when I 
got there I was agreeably disappointed to find that 
the audience was not much smaller than usual. And 
last night, Friday, the attendance at the Exhibition 
Hall was larger than I have seen it on any week- 
night since these meetings began. And not only is 
the work growing broader, but I believe it is also 
growing deeper ; it is becoming a more personal 



264 SOUTH AND WEST. 

thing with many. It is not simply what Messrs. 
Moody and Sankey have to say ; but it is, "What have 
Christ and Christianity to do with me? To many 
hearts this question is now brought home, and many, 
very many, with deep earnestness are asking: ' What 
must I do to be saved ? ' 

" The inquirers' meeting, which I have already 
mentioned, held in the Metropolitan Hall at half -past 
8 o'clock, was a most interesting one. A large num- 
ber was present, and many went away rejoicing in 
Christ. 

" The meetings of Sabbath were an index to those 
of the whole week; for, from the prayer-meeting at 
noon on Monday, to the children's service in the 
Exhibition Palace at noon to-day, Saturday, all the 
meetings were most interesting, solemnizing, and edi- 
fying, and were all very largely attended. The in- 
terest attaching to these meetings is not confined to 
the people of Dublin and its immediate neighborhood. 
Persons are coming from some of the most southern 
and western counties of our island to be present at 
these services. I myself was speaking at one of them 
to a man who had brought his son, a boy about four- 
teen years of age, a distance of one hundred miles for 



REV W. FLEMING STEVENSON. 265 

this sole purpose. And when these persons go back, 
in many cases they go not unblessed, but carry 
gracious sheaves with them, and thus their own 
neighborhood comes in for a share of the blessing 
which is now falling so richly on Dublin." 

The Rev. W. Fleming Stevenson, author of Pray- 
ing and Working, and minister of a large Presbyterian 
church in Dublin, gives his general impressions after 
three weeks' observation and hearty co-operation : 

" A third week has in no way diminished the at- 
tendance. Instead of lesser numbers, additional seats 
for nearly a thousand have been provided in the Ex- 
hibition Palace, and even the passages in the Metro- 
politan Hall are now thronged. Once or twice the 
quietness prevailing has been slightly broken ; but it 
is marvelous that when so many must stand, and even 
then perhaps not hear, the stillness is so deep. There 
are some who do not miss a meeting ; but the even- 
ing audience is a very shifting one, and the faces are 
always changing. The number who have heard the 
gospel at this time must therefore be enormous. In- 
deed, there are scarcely any that one meets who either 
have not been at the meetings, or who are not plan- 
ning to go. In tram-cars, omnibuses, railway carriages, 
12 



266 ROMAN CATHOLICS. 

the services are a subject of universal conversation, 
and of universal interest. The visitors from the 
country are always on the increase. The other day 
some people in a small southern country town organ- 
ized an excursion-party of thirty, and a second of sixty 
has been organized since in the same place. Chris- 
tians come two hundred miles to rejoice and help in 
what is done. A gentleman came seventy miles, 
found the Saviour, went back for his family, and now 
they are all here. 

" Some of the abandoned have stolen in, and many 
drunkards have been brought by their friends. The 
motley character of the evening crowd is striking: 
every section of the population is represented, even to 
the outcast ; and surprises are constantly felt as one 
and another are recognized of the most unlikely to be 
there. Two Roman Catholic servants noticed, not far 
from them, faces with w T hich they w r ere curiously 
familiar. The men were disguised, but it did not need 
much penetration to discover the two priests who con- 
fessed them. The other night a Roman Catholic 
clergymen, hymn-book in hand, was among the most 
earnest of the worshipers. Another, who was asked 
by one of his people if it was wrong to go, is said to 



A BEEPER WORK. 267 

have replied that there could be no harm in hearing 
about Jesus. The reporter of a paper unfriendly to 
the movement is among those whom that movement 
has carried toward Christ. There is not an evening 
that Roman Catholics as well as Protestants have not 
found their way to the inquiry-room. Probably one 
reason is that there is no denunciation. Men are not 
addressed as by their particular Church, but as sinners. 
Roman Catholics are not even mentioned by name at 
the evangelistic service ; and feeling no hurt, and not 
having opposition forced upon them, those who go 
once are pretty sure to return." Having regard to 
the character of the impressions produced on the mul- 
titudes addressed, Mr. Stevenson further says : 

" The lack of depth that was noticeable at first, the 
absence of any great breaking down of men's hearts, 
seem to be now signs of the past. It is, at last, as if 
God's word had got a grip of those that came to hear. 
Those who remain are more deeply concerned, more 
willing to speak because more sensible of their burden; 
and their number is rising rapidly. The area of the 
large concert hall is now occupied with the anxious and 
those who deal with them, and additional meetings 
have been held for them in the Metropolitan Hall. 



268 AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR. 

There is not a day but some evidently pass from death 
unto life, and the crushed and miserable depart to their 
own house in the joy and peace of believing. An 
officer of rank in the artillery was in Scotland during 
Mr. Moody's visit, but did not attend the meetings. 
He has come in Dublin ; there was earnest prayer for 
him by his friends ; and from a very worldly life he 
has now been brought to Jesus. An open skeptic 
was constrained to remain, had his doubts swept 
away as the Lord Jesus drew him to His feet, and on 
another evening came bringing three more persons 
with him. Thanks were returned one day for a young 
minister who had found Christ. A young man had 
been three months seeking rest. Hearing at a meet- 
ing that the gospel is the gift of Christ to sinners, 
it struck him with so much force that he said quite 
out, ' That's beautiful.' He apologized afterwards, 
saying he could not help it just at the moment when 
he found what he had almost despaired of finding. 
An ungodly man, whose friends and companions were 
like himself, came to one of the meetings. It was 
the only one, for a few days after he died, joyfully 
confessing to his ungodly acquaintances that Christ 
had found and saved him at that meeting." 



THE HYMNS. 269 



Mr. Stevenson singles out some special features of 
the work as specially noteworthy : 

" Here, as elsewhere, several of the hymns sung by 
Mr. Sankey alone have been wonderfully blest. An 
old man of seventy came into the inquiry-room in 
tears, saying he had found no rest since he heard 
'Jesus of Nazareth Passeth by.' A cabman, the 
other evening, asked that prayer should be offered 
for himself and his comrades. He had heard the first 
sermon in the palace, and the same hymn had made 
him uneasy then, and he had been uneasy ever since. 

In a country w^here party-feeling has always been 
strong, one notices w T ith pleasure the following : 

"The brotherly unity among the ministers is main- 
tained unbroken, and a delightful illustration of the 
breadth of this unity among all classes was given at a 
public breakfast this week. Nearly two hundred ac- 
cepted the invitation to meet Mr. Moody and Mr. 
Sankey, and among them were over fifty clergymen, 
some well-known noblemen and military men, and 
many of the principal citizens of Dublin of all profes- 
sions. Two hours after breakfast passed only too 
quickly in brief addresses from representatives of 
almost every denomination, bearing a united testi- 



270 THE SPREADING MOVEMENT. 

mony to the singular good that has been done, and 
expressing a united resolve to carry on the work after 
the American brethren have left in the same harmony 
in which it was now begun. 

The inquiry was very naturally raised, What results 
have followed elsewhere ? Here is the answer : 

" Although the movement was to gather no greater 
force, it would still be the most remarkable that there 
has ever been in the city ; but there are many who 
believe that we see only the beginning, that probably 
even next week will witness far greater things than 
these, and that spiritual blessings will be showered 
down on our land. The last tidings from Ulster speak 
of just such a fullness of blessing there. It is not con- 
fined to one or two cities, but the news comes from 
country towns and hamlets, and lonely prayer-meet- 
ings. The presbyteries over the north are stirring, 
and arranging for special evangelistic work, for the 
people are everywhere moved. The joy that is thus 
quickened prompts to but one request for our Irish 
churches and our Irish people, that prayer be made 
without ceasing unto God for us." 

Mr. Magee gives some illustrations of the force of 
truth : 



"FAIR PLAT!" 271 



" Our Roman Catholic brethren, as a rule, have 
acted a noble part. They have been respectful, and 
to a certain extent, sympathizing. In this week's 
number of the Nation — an organ at once of National 
(as it is called) and Ultramontane principles — an 
article has appeared, entitled, 'Fair Play!' which is 
exceedingly creditable, and which indicates the ad- 
vent of a new day in Ireland. The editor informs his 
constituents that i the deadly danger of the age comes 
upon us from the direction of Huxley and Darwin 
and Tyndall, rather than from Moody and Sankey. 
Irish Catholics desire to see Protestants deeply im- 
bued with religious feeling, rather than tinged with 
rationalism and infidelity ; and as long as the relig- 
ious services of our Protestant neighbors are honestly 
directed to quickening religious thought in their own 
body, without offering aggressive or intentional insult 
to us, it is oiir duty to pay the homage of our respect 
to their conscientious convictions ; in a word, to do as 
we would he done hy? 

" One very marked feature in the movement is the 
number of men that are influenced. Many people 
have remarked the large proportion of them that are 
inquiring. 



272 THORO UGHL Y BIBLICAL. 



" A few nights ago an old gentleman, more than 
seventy years of age, threw himself down on his 
knees and sobbed like a child. He said, 'I was 
utterly careless about my soul till last night, but I 
have been so unhappy since, I could not sleep. I 
seemed to hear ringing in my ears, " Jesus of Nazar- 
eth is Passing by," and if I don't get saved now I 
never shall be.' 

" Already the influence of this work has begun to 
tell upon the most remote districts of the country. 
Parties of thirty, fifty, sixty, etc., are being organized 
from the most distant parts to Dublin. Many of 
these carry back with them much, blessing. We hear 
of the young converts witnessing for Christ fearlessly 
in the trains on their way home from their meetings. 

"Mr. Dowling, an Episcopal clergyman, one of the 
best expositors of Scripture we have among us, said 
he had heard and read much of the work carried on 
by our brethren, when they were in Edinburgh and 
elsewhere, and he had thought much of it; now 
that he had seen it for himself he thought much 
more of it than ever. He regarded it as the noblest 
testimony to the power of evangelical truth ever 
given in this country. He was delighted, he said, 



A PUBLIC BREAKFAST. 273 

with the thoroughly Biblical character of the move- 
ment. It put honor upon the Personal "Word, and 
honor upon the Written Word, and honor upon the 
Holy Spirit, the great mediating Energy between the 
Personal and the Written Word. Speaking of Mr. 
Moody's preaching, he said that the Bible seemed a 
quiver in his hands, and every text a sharp, polished, 
glittering arrow that God gave him for us to shoot 
straight into the heart and conscience of his hearers." 
A novel feature in Dublin was the public breakfast 
in the Shelbourne Hotel, with Sir E. Synge Hutchin- 
son in the chair, addresses in admirable spirit from 
Lord Carrick, Lord James Butler, Dr. Craig, Rev. 
Charles Dowling, of the Irish Church, and many 
other clergymen. Two of the largest rooms in the 
Shelbourne Hotel were completely filled by the com- 
pany, which numbered about two hundred. The object 
the gathering evidently had in view was the en- 
couragement of Christian unity, which every speaker 
in the course of the proceedings warmly advocated, 
in the belief that it is especially needful at the pres- 
ent time, and essential to the further spread of the 
gospel in this country. The company was thoroughly 
representative in its character, both clerical and lay. 
12* 



274 CONCERT WITH MINISTERS. 

Mr. Moody said that was the first meeting of the 
kind he had ever attended. The question had been 
asked, " What was to be done to keep up Christian 
unity ? " He would tell them. Keep preaching 
Christ, and don't talk about their church, creed, or 
doctrine, and then people would be attracted to them 
as surely as iron filings to a magnet. By this should 
all men know that they were Christ's disciples, that 
they loved one another. He hoped they would 
preach Christ simply, treating men not as of this de- 
nomination or that, but as sinners. He would leave 
them one word, ' Advance.' When General Grant, 
after a career of victory in the West, was put in 
command of the Potomac Army, which had been be- 
fore invariably defeated, he was asked to retreat. 
Retreat had been the constant word, and at his coun- 
cil of war all his commanders were in favor of falling 
back ; but he remained silent, and an hour after, 
the army were astonished to receive from him 
the command, ■ Advance in solid column at day- 
break.' This was his counsel to them." 

One of the aspects of Mr. Moody's work, which 
gave special satisfaction to the most judicious Chris- 
tians in Dublin — and among its fifty or sixty thou- 



REV. DR. MARRABLE. 



sand Protestants, are many most earnest and devout 
believers — was the concert maintained with the min- 
isters. The effects were of the happiest kind. 

Rev. Dr. Marrable mentioned that " on their Com- 
munion Day the number of those who remained to 
partake of the Lord's Supper was nearly double what 
it used to be. This was a good sign and a source of 
much happiness to him. He felt deeply interested 
in these meetings, and especially the conversational 
meetings for anxious inquirers. So eager was he to 
get into the room that no sooner was the preaching 
service at the Exhibition Palace concluded with the 
benediction, than he hastened to the inquiry-room 
with the avidity of an army surgeon who ran to bind 
up the wounds of soldiers after a battle. The work 
of grace that was manifested at these meetings was 
truly wonderful. Some of those who became con- 
verted belonged to Dublin, some came from distant 
parts of the country — people of all classes — young 
and old, high and low — are finding the Lord, and re- 
joicing in Him as their precious Saviour. On the 
previous night (Sunday) they had a conversational 
meeting for men — none but men — and there were 
upwards of fifteen hundred present. The attendance 



276 BESULTS IN DUBLIN. 

was astonishing. He was diffident about alluding to 
particular cases ; but he could not help referring to 
the case of a divinity student — he was sure that was 
not too personal — who came to him and said he was 
about to enter the ministry, but he did not feel happy 
about his own soul ; but before he left he was brought 
to rest in peace in Jesus." 

Fourteen years ago the Bev. Denham Smith, then 
a Congregational minister, did a good Evangelistic 
work in Dublin. He was, like Mr. Brownlow North 
in Scotland, and Mr. Grattan Guinness in England — 
able to give some aid in the meetings — pleasing evidence 
that the fire kindled so long ago had not ceased to burn. 

After witnessing five weeks' labor in Dublin the 
Eev. W. Fleming Stevenson gives the following ac- 
count of the results : 

" No one would question now the magnitude and 
importance of the spiritual work which has gathered 
round our American brethren in Dublin. No similar 
movement has ever produced a like impression. At 
any previous time of revival, the interest was con- 
fined within a narrow circle, but at present it pene- 
trates the entire city ; and the country — and not the 
serious people in the country only — is as much 



VARIED TESTIMONY. 277 

moved as the city. Those who spoke lightly at first 
— those who thought they could ignore it — those who 
were persuaded it was only a new sensation, have 
slowly altered their mind. It is seldom that in a 
company it is not mentioned with respect. Men who 
had laughed and sneered at first are now the first to 
rebuke others if they sneer. The newspapers con- 
tinue to chronicle the meetings with a fullness never 
displayed before ; special articles are occasionally 
written, and now and then a thoughtful and favor- 
able editorial draws everbody's attention. Three of 
the bishops have been at the meetings, and one of 
them, the Bishop of Kilmore, has warmly commended 
' the wonderful work in Dublin ' when presiding over 
his Synod. The eloquent Bishop of Derry, when 
lately preaching at the re-opening of York Minster, 
and illustrating the place and power of praise, said 
that ' in Scotland and Ireland a strong fervor had been 
awakened, and hundreds and thousands had been 
made earnest by a single voice as expressed by him- 
self, " singing the gospel of Jesus Christ." ' The Rev. 
Lord Plunket, 'while not personally relishing all the 
accompaniments of their teaching,' ' blesses God for 
the good which is being done by our American vis- 



278 VIFFIC UL TIES V BECOME. 

itors,' and ' rejoices that Christ is being preached and 
souls are being*saved. ? Men of all the church parties 
attend the halls, and having come once are apt to 
come again ; and one of the most constant workers is 
Dr. Sydney Smith, the Professor of Biblical Greek in 
Trinity College, whose daughter wrote the simple 
and wide-spread hymn, <Oh for the Robes of White- 
ness.' A weekly Roman Catholic journal rebuked 
the silence of its contemporaries by some abusive arti- 
cles ; and the next week the Nation^ an able paper in 
the interests of the same faith, rebuked the rudeness, 
and bade the movement God-speed. 

Growing in Strength. 

" As for the meetings, there is not only no lessen- 
ing of interest in them, but a positive increase. It 
was supposed by many whose sympathies went en- 
tirely with them that there would be a falling away, 
and the supposition was not unnatural. The Protest- 
ant population is small — only a fourth of the whole ; 
and nine-tenths of it adhere to the Episcopal Church, 
in which, more than elsewhere, the ministers shrink 
from openly identifj'ing themselves with either lay 
preaching or the inquiry-room. So that while all the 



MOCKERS A TTRA CTED. 279 

ministers of the other denominations came forward 
round Mr. Moody, probably not more than a third or 
fourth of those belonging to the dominant communion 
took the same stand ; and some, who are earnest men 
of God, even took up a hostile position. Yet there 
has been no slackening of the marvelous attendance, 
either by day or by night. Every increase of accom- 
modation is met by a fresh inpour of eager men and 
women. During the last Bible-readings, not only 
were the passages choked, but a dense throng swarmed 
round each door, far beyond hearing point, and as 
many left as would have filled another building. For 
two Sabbaths it has been necessary to lift the tempo- 
rary curtain, and allow the people to overflow the en~ 
tire area of the Palace ; and every evening a crowd 
of two or three hundred, mostly well-dressed persons, 
patiently waits in the November cold round the outer 
doors, in the hope that there may be still some place 
for them when these doors are opened for a few min- 
utes, just before the sermon. 

" There are some in this crowd who do not come 
with the best motives. i Won't you run in and be 
converted? 5 one young man said to another, a few 
evenings ago, with a laugh. 'Well, I don't mind 



280 MISGIVINGS BANISHED. 

having a try at it for five minutes,' his companion re- 
plied, elbowing his way in. Yet in five minutes af- 
ter they were seated their faces were riveted on Mr. 
Moody, a part of that most impressive upturned mass 
of faces that is fixed on him as long as he speaks ; 
and there is not an evening that men do not acknowl- 
edge in the inquiry-room having entered as carelessly 
as these, and having been arrested and forced to ask, 
' What must I do to he saved f ' 

" It has to be said, also, that many ministers who do 
not come prominently forward are ardent friends of 
the work, and that large as the platform is, the min- 
isters upon it are only a small part of those at the 
meetings. They come from the most remote districts 
of the country. And there are very many who at first 
were doubtful, and w r ho regarded the movement with 
misgivings, who are now blessing God for what is done 
in Dublin ; and whose prayer is that He may work 
the same w r orks over the whole island. Even those 
whose position removes them farthest from sympathy 
speak now with frank respect both of the service and 
of the American brethren. Nor can anything be more 
cordial and delightful than the practical and truly 
brotherly unity with which the various clergymen 



"BABES AND SUCKLINGS." 281 

work together, rejoicing in the truth, and not seeking 
their own, but in honor preferring one another ; and 
it is impossible but that this spirit will pass out from 
them to the other ministers of their respective Church- 
es, or that those w T ho have learned a mutual esteem 
and acquired a mutual regard in this toil for the Mas- 
ter will shrink back again into their former relation. 

The Children. 

" Besides the noon prayer-meeting (at which there 
are now as many brief spontaneous addresses as pray- 
ers), the evening evangelistic service, and the Bible 
Readings, a children's meeting at four, and a men's 
meeting at nine, have been maintained. The chil- 
dren's day still makes Saturday a festival. When Mr. 
Moody presided, he turned it for a time, and with the 
happiest effect, into a huge Sunday-school class, the 
answers to his questions coming back in overpower- 
ing volleys from the thousands of voices, and with so 
much precision that he once or twice good-naturedly 
told the children they should be in his place. At all 
these Saturday meetings there have been little ones 
led to Jesus ; and very happy stories they have to tell, 
when they come asking for 'a convert's ticket.' ' It 



282 SOLDIERS THOUGHT OF. 

was when Mr. Sankey told us about the cleft in the 
rock, and how, when a little child was put in, it was 
quite safe ; and I just let Jesus put me in,' one will 
say ; and then another; 'It was- Mr. Moody that said 
looking at the brazen serpent meant that we should 
look at Jesus, and I was very sorry, because I knew 
I had been naughty ; but I did look to Jesus, and I 
know Jesus loves me, and I'm not afraid to die.' " 

Yarious classes were approached. Thus Sir 
Arthur Cotton's daughter, Miss Cotton, was induced 
by Mr. Moody to leave her work at Dorking for 
a little : and she addressed four very large assem- 
blies of women in Dublin, and three in Belfast. And 
a concert, for which the Exhibition had been engaged 
before it was taken for the preaching of the gospel, 
led to the most characteristic service that has been 
held, as there could be no public evening service. 
More than seven hundred soldiers, of every arm of 
the service, accepted an invitation to tea, presided 
over by officers' wives and daughters. Mr. Sankey 
sang for them and with them, and the shout of the 
chorus to " Hold the Fort " quite overcame many who 
were present ; while Mr. Moody, saying that the 
sight of the red coats had driven his sermon out of 



THE INQ UIB Y-ROOM. 



his head, simply told story upon story out of his own 
experience in the American war till he was overcome 
with emotion, preaching the gospel with a tenderness 
and force that were marvelously impressive, and that 
allowed no surprise when so many of the men re- 
mained for the inquiry-meeting, and of those that re- 
mained so many declared they had found Jesus. The 
morning meeting for workers was resumed on the 
final Sabbath of his stay, and was a re-delivery to men 
only, of the lecture on Daniel, which he had given at 
the Bible-reading three days before, with a power 
which those who heard it previously in Scotland de- 
clared he had never approached. 

The great building had been engaged for a month, 
but another week's occupation of it was secured, and 
a convention for three days was arranged for at the 
conclusion of the services. We give in substance the 
account of it, furnished, with many other details, by 
the Rev. W. Fleming Stevenson, only abbreviating in 
parts, his graphic report : 

" Among the points of interest in Dublin, there is 
none more singular, and at the same time more sol- 
emn than the inquiry-room. Sometimes the large 
concert-hall has been occupied, sometimes the small, 



284 HUSBAND AND WIFE. 

sometimes both. Once or twice the main building has 
been given over exclusively to women, while the men 
have been withdrawn to one of the side halls. The 
numbers who remained for conversation were often very 
large — many hundreds, now and then approaching a 
thousand. The band of workers who spoke with 
them has also been large, and includes, perhaps, fifty 
ministers. Persons have come of every shade of 
opinion. A skeptic has written down his feelings in 
a note-book — an honest doubter, who submits them 
seriatim for answer, and expresses thankfulness as 
they are met, and his mind is left more open to receive 
Christ. One has come to scoff, and avows that he 
only wants to see into the thing ; but a pointed, firm 
word, spoken in love, has sunk below his shallow scorn, 
and he finds himself grappling with sin. A gentle- 
man has come from a town many miles away ; he has 
fallen into sin, and w T andered far from Christ. His 
wife had often borne the burden on her heart to God, 
and, on returning home from a short absence, finds he 
has gone hurriedly to the meetings ; now, in the 
inquiry-room she finds the wanderer restored, full of 
sorrow, but more full of thanksgiving, and the hus- 
band and wife leave the building together, with a joy 



MOTHER AND DA UGHTERS. 285 

that is unspeakable. Here are two, a gentleman and 
his wife that have traveled one hundred and fifty 
miles from their home. They are greatly moved ; 
the woman sobs, the man cannot check a silent tear 
that trickles down his cheek ; their quest for peace 
seems only to have brought them into woe ; but before 
the meeting breaks up, the light has broken in, and 
they rejoice in the Lord. There is a young Swede, 
who has only recently come from the North, and tells 
his trouble through very broken English ; the next 
evening he is looking to Jesus. Some are Roman 
Catholics, probably very ignorant of Bible teaching, 
but receiving the truth with avidity; coming, per- 
haps, again and again. Some, with a beaming face 
and a great but gentle earnestness, are leading in 
others — sisters with sisters, young men bringing 
friends. There is a lady who has come up from the 
country, and has brought in four grown-up daughters. 
A minister is passing, and stops. He has already long 
since led that lady to Christ, and he has baptized these 
four girls ; but it is fourteen years since he left their 
neighborhood for another, very distant. He sits down 
beside them, and does not leave till the mother re- 
joices with him over them all. 



286 STUDENTS FROM COLLEGE. 

" In such work as this, the hour passes quickly away. 
All are busy, too busy to note what happens around 
them ; the sound of prayer and earnest speech rises 
everywhere ; then, as one leaves after another, Mr. 
Moody stands near the door, and speaks a parting word 
to each, the lights are put out, and the work of the day 
is over. For some time past another large meeting 
has been conducted in another part of the city (in the 
Metropolitan Hall) at the same hour as the evening 
inquiry-meeting (for during the day also there are op- 
portunities for inquirers), and yet the attendance at 
both has daily increased. It is exclusively for young 
men, and is conducted by Mr. Henry Drummond, 
who was urgently entreated to leave work of the 
same kind in Derry, that he might come up to this. 
At first it seemed harder to deal with them, and less 
impression was made than elsewhere ; but that is all 
past, and probably there are nowhere more striking 
instances of the grace of God. Latterly, several of 
the students have been here, and some have believed ; 
and it is a distinct rallying-point for young men. 

" From all this, it is natural to expect that fruit is 
being gathered every day. 

" The son of Christian parents is in a house of busi- 



" EAPP Y AS A KING. " 287 

ness, where one of the young men especially was an 
undesirable companion, and many prayers had 
ascended that the lad might be kept from harm. 
Not only has he been led to Jesus, but four others 
with him, and among them that very one whose in- 
fluence was so dreaded. In another house several had 
scoffed, and were profane and skeptical ; but one of 
the first who decided for Christ there went very sim- 
ply round the rest, and told them where he stood, 
that, as he said, there might be no mistake. ' There 
are four brothers, besides myself,' said a fine, intelli- 
gent lad in a printing office, • and the Lord has found 
us every one.' Four sisters came together for tickets 
to the converts' meeting. They had only been a 
week or two in Dublin, coming to it from a country 
town, and already they had the joy of believing. 
A mechanic came in to-day. ' I hurried down from 
the shop,' he said — it was the fitting shop of one of 
the great railway stations — ' as soon as we knocked off 
work. There are more than twenty that have been 
greatly concerned, and there'll be many of them will 
want a ticket. We have hard times of it among the rest ; 
but I was just like them, and I can't complain. And, 
Sir, I am just as happy as a king.' 



288 MOTHER AND SON 

" A gentleman residing in Belfast came up with his 
family to Dublin ; and now, in Dublin, the children 
have all been brought to the Lord. Two brothers 
lived in Glasgow while Mr. Moody was holding 
meetings there. One of them was converted, but he 
could not induce the other to go to the meetings. 
Some time after they were separated. The former 
was obliged to change his residence for London, the 
latter for Dublin. The heart of the one yearned 
greatly over the other, and when he learned that Mr. 
Moody was in Dublin, he pleaded with his brother 
more than ever. At last he got leave, and hurried 
across himself to induce him to attend the meetings ; 
in his earnest compulsion, brought him, introduced 
him to Mr. Moody ; and within a w T eek the brothers 
w r ere rejoicing together. 

" An elderly lady introduced herself to a minister, 
her eyes full of tears. 4 Sir, on Monday evening I 
saw my sins like burning flames. Oh ! I did not 
know before that I was a sinner. I did not know how 
to escape. It was like fire on every side of me. And 
they spoke to me of Jesus. I broke out crying quite 
loud. I couldn't help it. And when I went home, 
and my son met me, I said : " What will they think 



LITTLE RIDICULE. 289 

of me, acting in that way ? " " Mother," said he, 
" don't be ashamed of the tears of repentance." ' I can't 
keep from crying now, but they are tears of joy. And 
Sir, it was my son would give me no rest till I went 
to the meetings ; for he had gone himself, and came 
back believing in Jesus." Happy mother, happy son ! 

" A gentleman had not heard a sermon for two 
years, as he had grown deaf, and his minister's voice was 
low. He went to Mr. Moody, sat near the front, and 
heard. His joy was very touching when God had 
opened not only the ear but the heart, and he came 
for a ticket to the meeting for converts. An infidel, 
who was led to come, and was led to faith in the 
Saviour, afterwards came bringing three like himself. 

"I have strung these incidents loosely together; 
they are examples of what is occurring every day, and 
what it is hoped will be occurring for many a day to 
come. There is scarcely a parish or congregation in 
the city where there has not been blessing, and in 
some, the blessing has been very full ; while numbers 
who came up from the country have gone back again 
praising God. 

" The town is more full than ever of what is happen- 
ing. There is comparatively little ridicule, and there 
13 



290 NO NATURAL GA USE. 

is much inquiry. At a well-known meeting of scien- 
tific men the other day, the discussion turned largely 
on Mr. Moody and the meetings, and it appeared 
that several of those present had been there. One, 
who does not trouble himself about the Christian 
faith, said that, he could not find any sufficient natural 
causes that would quite account for them — causes 
that would satisfy scientific inquiry — and that he was 
driven to the persuasion that there must be a super- 
natural cause. 

" At a meeting of one of the principal medical soci- 
eties, the chairman, in his address, touched earnestly on 
the opportunity the physician had as a Christian, and 
the dignity it lent his office ; and though the members 
are of very opposite religious persuasions, and his course 
was so novel as to startle many, the remarks met with 
hearty approval. 

" It has been desired to continue at least some of the 
meetings after the brethren leave, and in the same 
spirit of unity. There will be the daily noon prayer- 
meeting in the Metropolitan Hall, except on Saturday, 
when there will be a meeting for children at two 
o'clock; and on Sabbath, when there will be an after- 
noon service at four, in the large concert-hall of the 



THE CONVENTION. 291 

Exhibition Palace. It is also intended to have a united 
evangelistic service every Tuesday evening at eight, 
in the Metropolitan Hall, and to keep up the evening 
meeting for men." 

The Convention of Ministers was a happy inspira- 
tion, due to the indefatigable secretary of the General 
Committee. There were only a few days to prepare, 
but the details were carried out with an energy that 
was marvelous. It was like nothing so much as the 
hearty haste with which the posts went out to ' all the 
provinces of King Ahasuerus. 5 Arrangements were 
made by which return-tickets could be had from any 
part of Ireland for a single fare, and yet be available 
for a week ; and hospitality was so abundantly offered 
that every visitor found a kindly welcome. The num- 
ber of ministers was probably not short of eight 
hundred, of whom more than half belonged to the 
Episcopal Church, the Presbyterian and Wesleyan 
making the bulk of the remainder ; but the Inde- 
pendent and Baptist Churches, and the Society of 
Friends were also well represented. The geographi- 
cal representation was as complete as the ecclesiastical. 
From County Kerry to County Donegal, from Con- 
nemara on the west, from Cork, and Wexford, and 



292 « THE M1NISTB Y." 

Waterford on the south, from cities like Belfast and 
Derry, where the blessing has been rising like a full 
tide, and from ancient and secluded hamlets, where 
the 'news of God's work has been slow to penetrate, 
from rectories and manses, the streams poured into 
the capital. The days of the Convention were days 
of joyful surprise, as friends unexpectedly met from 
one distant place after another. 

Many had already come on Monday evening, and 
were soon in service, addressing an extemporized 
meeting that had to be formed of those who could 
not get access into the building, or speaking with 
inquirers, and thus came at once in contact with what 
had been reported to them; for the sermon on that 
evening, "What shall I do then with Jesus which 
is called Christ ? " (Matt, xxvii. 22), had been with 
unusual power, and the large halls for inquiry were 
crowded. It was, however, at the all-day meet- 
ing on Tuesday that the Convention assumed its real 
proportions, and the interest and blessing that had 
gathered round the previous weeks were carried to 
their highest point. The ministers formed a com- 
pact body, in seats numbered and reserved for them ; 
the crowd stretched beyond, and from one o'clock it 



THE TOPICS CHOSEN. 293 

was so large that it filled the building from end to 
end. 

" Mr. Moody presided throughout, and members of 
every evangelical communion joined in the addresses 
and prayers. The noon hour was devoted, as usual, 
to the subject for the day ; and though the requests 
for prayer number now sometimes many hundreds, 
and are simply massed in groups, they were made 
impressive by the brief supplication of a single sen- 
tence with which each group was fittingly followed 
by the reader, the meeting all the while continuing 
bowed in silent prayer. The three topics chosen for 
conference were : Praise and Thanksgiving, How to 
reach the Masses, and How to fill Ireland with the 
Gospel. The two former were introduced by Epis- 
copalian clergymen, the latter by a Presbyterian ; 
and besides these longer addresses, there were others 
of five minutes, which fell to ministers of other com- 
munions. Conference, in the strict sense of the 
word, was precluded by the size of the hall and the 
audience; but the same subjects were treated on 
Thursday in a four hours' meeting, when none but 
the ministers were present, and when, from the 
smaller numbers, interchange of opinion was easy. 



294 " PBOSEL YTINQ FROM CHURCHES." 

The remaining two hours of the day on Tuesday 
were occupied by Mr. Moody ; the first by the 
" Question Drawer/' and the second by his lecture 
on " Works." In the former, the answers to which he 
gave most time were on drunkenness and sectarian- 
ism. " God had vouchsafed a blessed unity ; woe to 
the unhappy person who should first break it." Yet 
it would be broken if there was proselytism. This 
would be the triumph of sect over Christ. The cry 
is, " Come out ! come out from a sect ! " But where ? 
into another sect ? Every body of believers is a sect. 
This spirit that always cries, " Come out ! " that 
proselyting from the Churches, is from Satan. I say, 
Stay in. If yon have a minister that preaches 
Christ — and your town has many — stand by him. 
You will gain nothing but trouble and pride by leav- 
ing him. There are people who consider that de- 
nouncing Churches and finding fault with ministers 
is " bearing testimony." These people will bear tes- 
timony for years, and that is all Christ gets from 
them. I warn you, as a Christian brother, beware of 
trying to get some of these young people away from 
the folds where they have been fed. Yon will heap 
guilt on your head. The moment we begin to lift up 



" THEY WHO SEPARATE." 295 

our little party or our Church, then the Spirit of God 
seems to leave, and there is no more conversion." 

The effect produced by these timely words was 
profound. Those who had come dreading that, after 
all, this movement would be like some previous, and 
end in secession and the weakening instead of the 
strengthening of Christians, were reassured ; and 
throughout this hour and the next, the majority of 
the ministers who had not heard Mr. Moody speak 
before learnt something of the power he wields, and 
were forced into the same unity as those who had 
been fellow-laborers from the beginning. Indeed, 
the condition of the meeting was one of the most 
eager and responsive sympathy. Every chord was 
true, and vibrated at the lightest touch. Aged min- 
isters bowed their gray hairs, and wept at times with 
joy. A minister would grasp the hand of another 
he had never seen before, merely because he sat 
beside him. One might sit, at first, with a look of 
wonder and almost contempt, but further on in the 
day the face would quiver with emotion. Many an eye 
glistened with quiet tears. Now, for the first time in 
the meetings, the excitement would not be controlled, 
but broke out in applause that even the self-recol- 



296 IRREPRESSIBLE FEELING. 

lection of some, and the cry of " Hush ! " did not 
always repress. In truth, the atmosphere was elec- 
tric, though there was little cloud in the sky; and 
without any sufficient cause flashes would break out, 
soft and swift and pervading as summer lightning. 
At one point during the discussion of Ireland, the 
central subject of the day, and when Mr. Sankey, 
seizing the opportunity with his usual tact, sang 
" Hold the Fort," alone, and the vast multitude, the 
ministers leading, lifted up the chorus in a mighty 
shout, the enthusiasm was overpowering and alto- 
gether indescribable. Such a scene was never wit- 
nessed in Ireland before, for there never had been 
such a meeting. It was the first time that all these 
ministers had met on a platform broader than their 
Churches, gathering close together round their com- 
mon Saviour ; and it is easy to see already that the 
impression on the country is very deep. Four of the 
daily papers devoted long reports to the meetings, 
one of them as much as six columns ; and not only is 
the news thus spread, but even the happy device, by 
which the committee gave the clergymen of one com- 
munion as guests to the members of another, helps 
the fusing and widens the catholicity. It was a time 



QUITTING IRELAND. 297 

that will be always memorable in the history of Ire- 
land, — that many hope will be the starting-point of 
an Ireland where all things will be new. 

This concluded practically the labor of the breth- 
ren in Ireland. They now turned their faces towards 
the great cities of England, to which a brief chapter 
must be given. 
13 



CHAPTER VI. 

ENGLAND AGAIN. 

Early in December the American evangelists 
passed over to Manchester, where much prayer had 
been offered for a blessing on their visit. The Rev. 
W. H. Drewett gives a concise view of their opening 
efforts in that great city. We omit details, the coun- 
terpart of which has been fully reported in connec- 
tion with other places. 

" Many thousands of Christian people have been 
praying for Manchester. The preparatory work, in- 
deed, has been going on all the year, especially since 
the month of April, when united evangelistic services 
were held in almost all the Nonconformist places of 
worship throughout the district. These preparatory 
meetings were brought to a close last Saturday, with 
a Communion Service, in which upwards of two 
thousand Christians of various denominations joined. 

" At the meeting for workers on Sunday morning, 
the attendance was astonishing, numbering nearly, if 



MANCHESTER. 299 

not quite, two thousand five hundred persons. Most 
of these had walked distances varying from one to 
three miles, some far more, though the rain fell in tor- 
rents through a thick, cold fog. 

" Perhaps the first feeling with many, after curiosity 
was satisfied, was something like disappointment. 
But soon the meeting was filled with an influence 
quite distinct from any of the usual effects of oratory. 
It seemed as if, as in the olden time, 'the Holy 
Ghost fell on them that heard the word.' Mr. 
Moody's theme was i Christian Courage,' and in 
dwelling upon it he evidently sought to strike the 
key-note for all the services to follow. When, at the 
close of the address, the hymn was sung, ' Hold the 
Fort,' few eyes were dry. 

" The work has been going on since, much as it did 
during the first week or fortnight in Dublin, and in 
other places. There is no doubt that Messrs. Moody 
and Sankey have already made a most favorable im- 
pression upon a large portion of the Christian public 
of our city. The charm of Mr. Sankey's affectionate 
nature has been felt by many, as well as the power 
of his gift of song. The gifts which fit Mr. Moody 
to be the leader of a religious movement like the 



300 FIRST FRUITS. 



present are recognized by every one. Men accustomed 
to authority willingly put themselves under his or- 
ders. He inspires confidence. All feel at once his 
practical good sense and singleness of purpose. 
Among his natural endowments is a power of pathos 
which must tell everywhere, but will tell especially 
upon a Lancashire audience. It seems to lay hold of 
the men even more than of the women. In his 
energetic, vigorous nature there is a great depth of 
tenderness, which now and then breaks forth in his 
addresses with extraordinary power. Above all, he 
feels and speaks as though he felt that the excellency 
of the power is of God, and not of us. 

" The crowds which flock to hear our friends, if they 
do not increase, continue undiminished. Already 
not a few have found peace in Jesus through their 
word. Mr. Moody has more than once said in public 
that nowhere, during the first week of his labors, have 
such meetings been held as in Manchester. Still, it 
would be folly to suppose that the work as yet is more 
than just beginning." 

How it proceeded the Eev. C. A. Davis tells us : 
"None could withstand the conviction that the 
Spirit of God was operating in the solemnized assem- 



( HIS WHOLE SELF." 301 



bly as they beheld, under the influence that swayed 
the meeting during Mr. Moody's appeals, business 
men, one after another, rising to be prayed for. The 
address had been growing in earnestness ; the speaker 
seemed to come into contact with the souls of the 
people before him. He requested any who wished to 
be prayed for to rise. He quietly repeated the inyi- 
tation. One was seen to stand in the left-hand gallery 
and coyer his face with his hands ; another in the 
area. Mr. Moody said solemnly, " There is one risen ; 
thank God for that. Another ; and another. Chris- 
tians, keep on praying. Another. Jesus is passing 
by. Tou may neyer haye such an opportunity again. 
Tou may neyer again haye so many Christians pray- 
ing for you." Before many minutes people were stand- 
in all parts of the hall, amid deep silence, broken 
only by a hushed response at each new appeal for 
continued prayer. At the close of the meeting the 
anxious ones were inyited into the inquiry rooms, 
where Mr. Moody conyersed with them indiyidu- 
ally. 

A man with whom the writer conyersed, rose from 
his knees, where he had committed "his whole self" 
to Christ, and said, " I came from Bolton to-day. I 



302 THE SO UL VF THE MO VEMENT 

did not think I should find Christ." A brother min- 
ister brought up another young convert. It was this 
man's nephew who had . just found peace. The two 
greeted each other with joyful surprise. 

Afternoon meetings for women have been held in 
the Rev. A. McLaren's chapel, Oxford Road. It is 
strange to observe them thronging the road on their 
way to the chapel, and still more strange to see them oc- 
cupying all the available standing-room in the spacious 
building. Not less than two thousand women were 
present on Tuesday afternoon. These meetings, like 
all the rest, increase in power as they proceed, and on 
Thursday when Mr. Moody entered the lecture-hall, 
he found it filled with weeping, kneeling inquirers. 
Many left with the joy of pardon on their spirits. 

The noon prayer-meeting has, with one exception, 
been held in the Free Trade Hall, with an attendance 
of from two to three thousand. In these meetings may 
be found the soul of the movement. It is the daily 
united cry to God which brings upon the city the 
power of the Holy Spirit for conviction and conver- 
sion. On Thursday, dealing with the objection that 
this work is not of God, Mr. Moody said, " "What do 
these noon prayer-meetings mean ? what do men come 



CO- OPERA TION ASKED. 303 

here by hundreds, I might say by thousands, to pray 
for ? A genuine work of God. And will He give 
us a counterfeit ? If we ask bread will He give us a 
stone ? The Shunammite fell at the feet of Elisha 
and s.aid, ' As the Lord thy God liveth I will not 
leave thee. 5 She wasn't going to trust in that old 
staff, nor in the servant. She would trust only in the 
master ; and well it was for her, or she would never 
have got back her child. And the prayer-meeting 
clings to the feet of God. We will not have the staff ; 
we will not trust in the servants, but only in the 
Master Himself ; He can and will raise the dead." 

Finding one influential class of ministers — whose 
co-operation was always sought — poorly represented 
at the meetings, Mr. Moody issued the following 
circular : 

"TO THE CLERGY OF MANCHESTER AND SALFORD. 

" Having come to Manchester with my friend, Mr. 
Sankey, for the month of December, with the one 
object of preaching Christ, it has been a matter of 
disappointment that not more clergymen of the 
Church of England have attended our meetings. 

" As God has granted large blessings where unity 



304 « THAT 'S ME." 



has prevailed, we earnestly trust that you will join in 
seeking a blessing for Manchester. 
"Manchester, Dec. 4, 1874. D. L. Moody." 

Not at first, but with increasing knowledge of the 
work, the Episcopal clergy entered into it in consider- 
able numbers. 

The feeling among the men was developed in a 
wonderful degree at the beginning. In an early 
meeting, Mr. Moody stated that on Friday a man had 
found peace, and instantly cried out, '"I am coming, 
mother," when a man rose and cried out in the center 
of the hall, " That's me," and burst into tears. The 
incident sent a thrill through the audience. Had there 
been time for an inquirers' meeting many would have 
remained, but they were wisely sent home to pray. 

The Bev. W. Eigby Murray, who labored with 
great earnestness in Manchester, thus reports, in the 
second week of effort here : 

" On Saturday evening, the Oxford Hall presented 
a spectacle which those who witnessed it will not soon 
forget. In response to Mr. Moody's invitation, some 
three thousand persons, professedly Christians, and 
chiefly young men, assembled to hear him counsel 



REGINALD RADCLIFFE. 305 

them regarding Christian work. The heartiness with 
which they ever and anon broke forth into song be- 
fore he made his appearance, and the manliness with 
which they sang, especially 'Dare to be a Daniel, 5 
indicated that they were ready to receive with glad- 
ness the word of command from the lips of the great 
organizer. He spoke briefly but effectively. He 
told of the work done by the young converts else- 
where, especially in Glasgow, in connection with the 
evangelization of the masses. He made particular 
reference to the noble army of volunteers that rose to 
their feet in that city when the appeal was made to 
them, 'Who will work for Jesus? 5 And then, 
when he made the same appeal to themselves, calling 
upon all who were ready to work for the Master to 
stand up, almost the entire body of young men — a 
grand and inspiring sight — sprang to their feet. One 
could not help exclaiming, i God be thanked ! there 5 s 
hope for our city ! Manchester, with such a host, may 
yet be won for Christ ! 5 By a special arrangement, 
as it seemed, of Providence, Mr. Reginald Radeliffe 
was present, and immediately put before them a 
definite plan for making a great gospel attack, so to 
speak, upon the city. He suggested that an ordnance 



306 CITY MAPPED OUT. 

map of Manchester should be cut into small squares, 
each representing a district, and that two or three 
young persons should undertake to carry the gospel, 
in the shape of a tract or otherwise, to every house, 
great and small, within that district, so that no single 
dwelling should be omitted. The plan appeared to 
approve itself to the judgment of the meeting, all the 
more so that he told ns how successfully he had car- 
ried out a similar one in Edinburgh and Liverpool 
in years gone by. The Lord grant it abundant 
success ! 

" The workers' meeting, yesterday (13th), was the 
largest since Messrs. Moody and Sankey came to 
Manchester. The address was most powerful. A 
forcible appeal was made to Sabbath-school teachers 
in this city ; but one conviction seemed to exist in 
the minds of the vast audience of five thousand, ' Let 
us arise and work. 5 

" Had Mr. Moody come to deliver only this address, 
his mission had not been in vain. In the afternoon, 
from fifteen thousand to seventeen thousand struggled 
for admission. Yarious meetings had to be held in 
the Free Trade Hall, Oxford Hall, and Cavendish 
Chapel ; all crowded as they never have been before. 



A HOUSE CHANGED. 307 

As many more halls of the same size could have been 
filled. Some twenty to thirty meetings were held in 
the streets of the neighborhood, where addresses were 
delivered by ministers and laymen. At every meet- 
ing the Lord was present to heal. Anxious inquirers 
were very numerous. Great numbers professed to 
find the Saviour. To God alone be praise ! 

u The meeting for young men, in Oxford Hall, at 
eight, was also crowded to excess, hundreds being 
unable to obtain admission. Mr. Moody spoke as if 
tongues of fire hovered over his head." 

The Rev. R. Mitchell said at the second Mon- 
day meeting where reports of progress were usually 
made: "There is no lack of facts to encourage us 
and strengthen our hands. Last night after the meet- 
ing, a gentleman came up to me and said : ' 1 want 
to have a talk with you.' So we walked down the 
street together. He told me he had been a skeptic 
for years, had heard Messrs. Moody and Sankey in 
Scotland, but could not understand what it was all 
about. He was a commercial traveler, having occa- 
sion to be from home frequently. When he went 
home last time, after having been away a month or 
two, there seemed to be a complete change in the 



308 A MEDICAL MAN'S VIEW. 

whole house. His wife had been going to the meet- 
ings held in Edinburgh, and had been awakened and 
had found peace in believing, and had, been instru- 
mental in leading the whole family to the Lord. 
This change in his dear ones led him to inquire 
into the work, and the result was, that the unbeliev- 
ing skeptic is now a humble believer in the Lord 
Jesus Christ. On Saturday he came fifty or sixty 
miles, that he might spend one day in these meetings. 
He was in this hall yesterday. 

" I may mention another case. As I rode home 
in the omnibus last Friday evening, a medical gentle- 
man, who had been sitting on the opposite seat, came 
over to my side. 'Mr. Mitchell,' he said, 'a few 
days ago I was speaking lightly of this revival work. 
But one of my friends who was living utterly regard- 
less of religion has just been telling me that he has 
found salvation at the meetings. His very words 
were, speaking of Christ, "I could die for Him." If 
that be a specimen of the revival work,' said the 
medical man, < it is the work of God. 5 " 

We cannot withhold from our readers a vivid de- 
scription of two of Mr. Moody's addresses in Man- 
chester, from the correspondent of the (London) 



POWER OF U X0." 309 

Daily News. They will show the style of address 
by which Englishmen were instructed and interested : 

"He began his discourse this morning without 
other preface than a half apology for selecting a sub- 
ject which, it might be supposed, everybody knew 
everything about. But, for his part, he liked to take 
out and look upon the photographs of old friends 
when they were far away, and he hoped that his hear- 
ers would not think it waste of time to take another 
look at the picture of Daniel. There was one pecu- 
liarity about Daniel, and that was that there was noth- 
ing against his character to be found all through the 
Bible. Xow-a-days, when men write biographies they 
throw what they call the veil of charity over the dark 
spots in a career. But when God writes a man's life 
He puts it all in. So it happened that we find very 
few, even of the best men in the Bible, without their 
times of sin. But Daniel came out spotless, and the 
preacher attributed his exceptionally bright life to the 
power of saying ' No. 5 

"After this exordium Mr. Moody proceeded to tell, 
in his own words, the story of the life of Daniel. Lis- 
tening to him it was not difficult to comprehend the 
secret of his great power over the masses. Like Bun- 



310 DANIEL'S VICTORIES. 

yan, helms the great gift of being able to realize things 
unseen, and to describe his vision in familiar language 
to those whom he addresses. I am afraid his notion 
of i Babylon, that great city/ would barely stand the 
test of historical research. But that there really was 
in far-off days a great city called Babylon, in which 
men bustled about, ate and drank, schemed and plot- 
ted, and were finally overruled by the visible hand of 
God, he made as clear to the listening congregation 
as if he were talking about Chicago. He filled the 
lay figures with life, clothed them with garments, and 
then made them talk to each other in the English lan- 
guage as it is to-day accented in some of the Ameri- 
can States. 

" The story of Daniel is one peculiarly susceptible of 
Mr. Moody's usual method of treatment, and for three 
quarters of an hour he kept the congregation en- 
thralled whilst he told how Daniel's simple faith tri- 
umphed over the machinations of the unbeliever. 
Mr. Moody's style is unlike that of most religious re- 
vivalists. He neither shouts nor gesticulates, and 
mentioned 'hell 5 only once, and that was in. con- 
nection with the life the drunkard makes for himself. 
His manner is reflected by the congregation, in respect 



EVERYTHING REAL. 311 

of abstention from working themselves up into ' a 
state. 5 But this makes all the more impressive the 
signs of genuine emotion which follow and accompany 
the preacher's utterance. When he was picturing the 
scene of Daniel translating the King's dream, rapidly 
repeating Daniel's account of the dream, and Nebu- 
chadnezzar's quick and delighted ejaculation, ' That's 
so!' 'That's it!' as he recognized the incidents, 
I fancy it was not without difficulty some of the peo- 
ple, bending forward and listening with glistening 
eye and heightened color, refrained from clapping 
their hands for glee that the faithful Daniel, the un- 
yielding servant of God, had triumphed over tribula- 
tion, and had walked out of prison to take his place 
on the right hand of the king. There was not much 
exhortation throughout the discourse, and not the 
slightest reference to any disputed point of doctrine. 
The discourse was nothing more than a re-telling of 
the story of Daniel. But whilst Nebuchadnezzar, 
Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-nego, Darius, and 
even the one hundred and twenty princes, became for 
the congregation living and moving beings, all the 
ends of the narrative were, with probably uncon- 
scious, certainly unbetrayed, art, gathered together to 



312 mCODEMUS. 



lead up to the one lesson, that compromise, where 
truth and religion are concerned, is never worthy of 
those who profess to believe God's word. 

" ' I am sick of the shams of the present day, 5 said 
Mr. Moody, bringing his discourse to a sudden close. 
' I am tired of the way men parley with the world 
whilst they are holding out their hands to be lifted 
into heaven. If we are going to be good Christians 
and God's people, let us be so out-and-out.' 

"Last night I heard him deliver an address in one of 
the densely-populated districts of Salford. Admission 
to the chapel in which the service was held was ex- 
clusively confined to women, and, notwithstanding 
that it was Saturday night, there were at least a thou- 
sand sober -looking and respectably-dressed women 
present. The subject of the discussion was Christ's 
conversation with Nicodemus — whose social position 
Mr. Moody incidentally made recognizable to the con- 
gregation by observing that ' if he had lived in these 
days he would have been a doctor of divinity, Mco- 
demus, D.D., or perhaps LL.D.' His purpose was 
to make it clear that men were saved, not by any ac- 
tion of their own, but simply by faith. This he illus- 
trated, among other ways, by introducing a domestic 



THE BRAZEN SERPENT. 313 

scene from the life of the children of Israel in the 
wilderness at the time the brazen serpent was lifted 
up. The dramatis personce were a young convert, a 
skeptic, and the skeptic's mother. The convert who 
has been bitten by the serpent, and, having followed 
Moses' injunction, is cured, ' comes along,' and finds 
the skeptic lying down i badly bitten.' He entreats 
him to look upon the brazen serpent which Moses has 
lifted up, but the skeptic has no faith in the alleged 
cure, and refuses. i Do you think,' he says, ' I'm 
going to be saved by looking at a brass serpent away 
off on a pole ? No, no.' ' Well, I don't know,' says 
the young convert, 'but I was saved that way myself. 
Don't you think you'd better try it ? ' The skeptic 
refuses, and his mother ' comes along,' and observes, 
' Hadn't you better look at it, my boy ? ' ' Well, 
mother, the fact is, that if I could understand the 
philosophy of it I would look up right off; but I 
don't see how a brass serpent away off on a pole can 
cure me.' And so he dies in his unbelief." 

The Rev. D. Macgregor reports of the third Mon- 
day meeting: 

"At noon there was a large gathering. We ob- 
served honored brethren from distant towns, who had 
14 



314 CONVERTS STEADFAST. 

come to see for themselves, and carry back tidings of 
the movement. Brethren of the Episcopal Church 
are becoming numerous. After prayer for the nu- 
merous cases brought before us, Mr. Moody made 
some observations on the subject of i Praise,' insisting 
on it as a Christian privilege. 

" When the meeting was thrown open, testimony 
was borne by various ministers and laymen to the 
progress and permanency of the work in other places. 
"We were especially pleased to have the evidence of a 
minister from York, who stated that Mr. Moody had 
begun services in his place of worship some sixteen 
months before, when the movement was yet but 
small. About fifty converts had come into connec- 
tion with his church, and, so far as he knew, they all 
continued steadfast in the faith, while many of them 
had become centers of blessed influence. The like 
testimony has come from other quarters; and when 
we now hear the oft-put question, ' Will it stand ? ' 
we answer, ' It has stood. 5 What if some do fall 
away ? that is the case also with those who join our 
churches in the steadiest times." 

From the scriptural character of the addresses, and 
the Bible readings, a new feature appeared in Man- 



CORRODING CARES. 315 

Chester, and is noticed by Mr. Macgregor. It recalls 
Glasgow, where the book-stores were literally emptied 
of Bibles during the meetings there : 

" We notice that many haye learned the habit of 
bringing their Bibles and turning oyer the leaves to 
find the passages. If the Bible readings accomplish 
nothing else but familiarizing many with the daily 
use of their Bibles, they will have done much." 

It would be delightful, if space permitted, to mul- 
tiply illustrative incidents. At a meeting, for ex- 
ample, a gentleman said : 

" There are many most delightful cases in this hall. 
I should like to relate one. I was speaking last night 
to those who were inquiring after Christ, up there in 
the gallery. I saw one workman sitting there. I 
felt I did not need to ask how it was with his soul ; I 
could see in his beaming face how happy he was. I 
went up to him, and said : ' Friend, have you found 
the Saviour ? ' ' Yes.' ' How long is it since ? ' ' Only 
three nights since I went to the Free Trade Hall, I 
heard them sing, " Safe in the arms of Jesus ; " the 
first verse I sung carelessly through, but when we 
came to the second verse — " Safe from corroding 
cares " — it struck me that the people seemed in 



316 PRATING FOR A FRIEND. 

earnest — that they meant it — I looked at the verse — 
I felt it was mockery for me to sing that — I sat down 
in great trouble. That night I went home in agony. 
!Next morning I went to my work, but I had not got 
over the trouble. My shopmates saw there was 
something up with me. They asked, "What was the 
trouble ? " I told them, my soul ! my soul ! Two 
nights after I was no better, I went again to the 
meeting — there I heard, "I must look to Christ and 
Him alone." Just then I was enabled to look, I went 
home, rejoicing in the Lord, a new and happy man.' 
' Are you waiting for a talk with Mr. Moody ? ' ' Oh ! 
no, I am just praying and waiting; I brought a dear 
friend with me to-night, and she's over there; some 
one's talking to her, and I am praying God may save 
her.' ' Is it your wife ? ' ' No, sir, I am not married, 
but it is a dear friend.' Here he was watching and 
praying, while she was hearing the way of salvation. 
I believe his prayers were answered last night." 

Mr. Sankey said: 

"My heart was moved last night at the Young 
Men's meeting. I can truly say that during all my 
wanderings I have never attended a better meeting 
than the one held last night in Roby Chapel — a more 



TEACHER AND SCHOLAR. 317 

hopeful and prayerful meeting — I am looking for 
great results from that place. My dear friend, Mr. 
Drummond, was there, whose father you all know 
has done so much work in publishing and distributing 
tracts in Scotland, and, I may say, all over the world. 
When Mr. Drummond had opened the meeting, he 
asked all who had been recently converted to rise and 
tell it. Many stood up and told what the Lord had 
done for their souls. Old men stood up, young men, 
and even boys. When we were engaged in silent 
prayer, Mr. Drummond asked that any who wished 
prayer for themselves, or for friends, would just 
stand up and ask it, while the Christians were pray- 
ing. One by one from all parts of the chapel came 
the requests, ' pray for me,' ' pray for my soul, 5 i pray 
for my father, 5 ' for my mother, 5 i for brothers, 5 'for 
sisters, 5 i for wives. 5 Mothers ! fathers ! your sons 
were there in Eoby Chapel last night, praying for 
you, pleading for you. Won 5 t you join them ?" 

One man asked prayer for one of his Sunday 
scholars, who was there in the meeting — before the 
meeting broke up, that lad had given himself to 
Christ. A commercial traveler remained to the in- 
quiry-meeting. He had been at one time super- 



318 IN THE WAREHOUSE. 

intendent of a Sabbath-school. He had, however, 
fallen into intemperance, and had gone astray. " JSTow," 
he said, " I want to get back to my father's house ; my 
dear wife has been praying for me. My eyes are 
opened once more, and I want to cling to Jesus ; He 
will keep me in His arms safe." 

Mr. Beith told of one young man, in a large ware- 
house in the city, who had been utterly regardless of 
divine things. M However, he went, as so many had 
done, to the meeting, to see what was doing. He 
was almost struck dumb when he heard Mr. Moody 
speak. Was this the same gospel that he had so often 
heard preached ? Ere long he was melted, went down 
stairs into the inquiry-room ; there he was spoken to 
by a Christian minister, who pointed him to the only 
Saviour. He was enabled, by God's grace, to accept 
the offer of salvation, and went home rejoicing. In 
his warehouse there was a large number of young 
men ; he was determined to do his duty, so he, in a 
frank, manly way told of the great change he had ex- 
perienced. He induced some of his fellows to come 
to the evening meeting along with him , And before 
three days there were eleven converted young men 
in that warehouse. These have now formed them- 



THE WINE-MERCHANT. 319 

selves into a praying band, for the other young men 
in that warehouse." 

Eev. Dr. Garrett (Episcopal) said, " It does cheer 
my heart to hear of the work that has been doing here 
yesterday. I and many other ministers have our own 
work on Sundays, so that we cannot possibly be pres- 
ent in your meetings. But I wish to tell of the good 
result I have seen in my own district, a quiet part of 
Manchester. There has been, I find, a great blessing 
both in my congregation and in my Sabbath-schools. 
I wish also to mention one incident which will illus- 
trate the Christian unity springing up amongst min- 
isters of the various denominations, and also the good 
which is sure to flow from that unity. 

The Wine-Merchant and his "Wife. 

"Atone of jomy inquiry-meetings I met a minister I 
had not known previously. I do not even yet know 
to what denomination he belongs. He was that night 
talking to a lady who was in terrible distress about 
her soul ; her husband was engaged in the wine trade 
and had beendrawn gradually into the habit of drink- 
ing with his customers, so that if he had many bar- 
gains to strike in the course of the day, he was sure 



320 THE MILL-GIRLS. 

to corae reeling home at night, deluged with this 
poison. For twelve months, before coming to your 
meetings, she had never entered a church door. She 
was, however, here awakened, and led to Jesus. 
Anxiety was then awakened in her heart for the sal- 
vation of her husband, upon whom she wished that 
minister to call, but as he lived at a great distance 
from her house, he promised to get some one else to 
do so. Having observed me at the meeting, and 
knowing that she was in my district, he wrote to ask 
me to see her. 

" I called on Christmas eve ; and spent one of the 
happiest hours I have ever known in her house. She 
is now rejoicing in the Saviour, and her husband told 
me that he has resolved to give up the wine trade, 
and trust in the Lord to open up to him some other 
path of life. Yesterday they were both in my church, 
and I firmly believe that these two have been led to 
the feet of Jesus." 

Mr. C. A. Davis said, " I wish to speak of the mill- 
girls. Last night three of these girls were led to trust 
in Christ. One of them said to me, ' Oh, sir, a girl 
cannot be good in a mill.' It is true, indeed, that it 
is difficult, there are so many temptations, and so 



WANTED— A GUIDE. 321 

many evil companions. But here is an encouraging 
letter I have received this morning from a mill-girl 
who was converted a week since. She says that she 
has been enabled to tell her co-workers of the change 
she has experienced, and the result of her faithful 
witnessing is that ten of her companions in that mill 
have been impressed, and are coming with her to the 
meeting to-night. She concludes by asking our 
prayers that these girls may be converted." 

A middle-aged man rose and said : " Last night 
(Sunday) as you are all aware, was very thick and 
foggy. I was on my way into Manchester from a 
neighboring village (I may say that I am a stranger 
here), and I happened to take the wrong turning in the 
road, and very soon, without being aware of it, I was 
on my way to Bolton. After I had walked some dis- 
tance, I saw a gentleman on the opposite side of the 
road, and I thought I would just ask him if I was 
going right. 'Am I on the road to Manchester ? ' He 
crossed the road towards me, and said, ' Do you wish 
to reach Manchester to-night,' I said ' Yes, 5 ' Well you 
are going directly from it : your back is turned to the 
city ; but I am going there, and will show you the 
way.' I was very glad to accompany him. Then all 
14* 



322 A G UIDE FO UND. 

at once he began to ask me questions, which I thought 
were very impertinent. ' Was I a Christian ? ' and 
so on. I said nothing, however, as I did not want to 
have him leave me. By-and-by I began to like his 
talk, and by the time we reached the city, we were 
very friendly. ' Have you ever heard of Mr. Moody ? ' 
he said. ' Oh, yes, often, they're building a large 
wooden hall for them in Liverpool, where I come 
from.' ' Well, I am going to one of his meetings, 
will you go?' 'No. 1 i Oh, do come in just to hear 
him.' Well, I didn't like to refuse and went with 
him ; when we got into the hall, Mr. Moody was 
thundering out the words, ' Whosoever will let him 
come.' I wondered if this could mean me. How- 
ever, I came away when the meeting was over. As 
I walked away with Mr. Bell (that I found was the 
gentleman's name), I could not resist any longer, and 
I broke out, ' Can Christ save me — such an one as I 
am ? ' ' Oh, yes,' said he, • Whosoever believeth in 
Christ shall not perish, but have everlasting life' 
(John iii.). We had some more talk, and I bless the 
Lord that He has now opened my eyes to see that not 
only is He able and willing, but that He has saved me." 
At a public meeting James C. Stuart, Esq., Treas- 



BUILDING FOB YOUNG MEN 323 

urer of the Committee for Manchester, stated the 
amount of expenses to be provided for by the friends 
in the city. 

" So far as he could judge, the expenses of the 
movement would be about £2,000. He wished it to 
be made public that Messrs. Moody and Sankey re- 
ceived no money from the committee. The sum 
named was for the rent of halls, printing, and such 
like expenses." 

At a later meeting Mr. Stuart * reported : "At a 
meeting, held last night, the Young Men's Christian 
Association decided to purchase the block of build- 
ings adjacent to the Theater Royal for the sum of 
£30,000. Will you not help us to raise this money 
before the close of the year ? I feel all the more 
hopeful in this matter, as we have Mr. Moody at our 
back, and he has promised to assist us, and make an 
appeal for us. I may add that the building will be 
used for the men's meeting to-night." 

The tide of feeling rose and spread. Salford, and 
other places in the neighborhood were as it was ex- 

* Mr. James C. Stuart is the nephew of one of the Editors of 
this Volume, and a banker in Manchester. His co-operation has 
been given in Manchester, Liverpool, and London. 



324 THE " Y. M. G. A." 

pressed, " on fire," and it was greatly regretted when 
the time of the evangelists expired. The close is 
thus described : 

" The closing week has been the most joyful of all. 
The tide of blessing, which has been steadily rising, has 
this week reached its flood ; the earnestness of the 
preacher and the eagerness of the people have seemed 
alike to intensify, and the unconverted have been called 
to take refuge in Christ with a vehemence of entreaty 
which has exerted a mighty influence on the assem- 
blies. During these five weeks God has answered 
the prayers of many years, and we cannot but feel 
that what has been going on in the city has made Man- 
chester peculiarly interesting to the dwellers in heaven. 

" At nine on Wednesday evening, about two thou- 
sand men reassembled in the hall, to hear what Mr. 
Moody had to say on the subject of the Young Men's 
Christian Association. Mr. Herbert Spencer occu- 
pied the chair, and gave a brief address, intimating 
that it was in contemplation to buy the Museum for 
the Young Men's Christian Association for £30,000. 
Mr. Moody delivered an inspiring harangue, in which 
he enlarged on the spiritual advantages of the Asso- 
ciation, and urged the straining of every effort to 



A HAPPY YEAB. 325 



reach the young men of Manchester, and to secure 
the building in question for the Association. A col- 
lection towards the object, made at the close, realized 
£1,800, £1,000 of which was given, I believe, by the 
chairman. This amount, with former contributions, 
including £5,000 given last week by Mr. J. Stuart, 
makes £8,000.* 

" On Thursday morning Mr. Moody addressed a 
crowded meeting in the Higher Broughton Presby- 
terian Church, and then came on to the noon prayer- 
meeting in the Oxford Hall, where he read and com- 
mented on the earlier part of the 103d Psalm. He 
said he had to bless the Lord for what He had done 
for him. It had been the best year of his life. He 
had been more used by God than in all the seventeen 
preceding years. He did not know of one sermon 
he had delivered, that had not been blessed to the 
conviction or conversion of some souls. It was a de- 
lightful meeting. Every word uttered was set to the 
tune of ' Bless the Lord, O my soul ! ' "When one 
minister rose to say, ' I have to praise God for the 
conversion of the brother of dear friends of mine, 
who have prayed for him twenty-five years ; for the 

* More than the amount has since been raised. 



326 SHEFFIELD. 



conversion of the sister and of the servant of another 
friend ; for the salvation of three persons in my 
own congregation ; for the dispelling of the doubts 
of a young man who traveled one hundred and 
fifty miles to these meetings — all which blessings 
have been given in the course of the present week ; ' 
when another minister rose to say he had never met 
with so much of scriptural teaching concerning the 
way of salvation, and the clear direction of inquirers 
to Jesus, as in Mr. Moody's addresses ; and another 
to say that the last ten days had been the happiest of 
his life — that he had derived an inspiration, had dis- 
covered how to preach Christ, had enjoyed sweeter 
communion with Jesus, and felt like a man whose 
chains were broken ; — they only uttered what many 
could have endorsed, as a description of the blessings 
they themselves had received." 

Promising, God willing, to make a visit in January, 
they left for Sheffield. 

Sheffield contains two hundred and fifty thousand 
inhabitants. It has had among its skilled artizans a 
considerable number of free-thinkers, and its religious 
statistics are not favorable. 

Three years ago there was a general " mission " 



UNA CCO UNTABLE INTEREST. 327 

throughout the town, chiefly conducted by clergymen 
of the Church of England, with the mission preacher, 
the Rev. R. Aitken (then a veteran in the cause) at 
their head, with good results. Lay evangelists were 
called in, among others, Lord Radstock, Mr. Robert 
Baxter, and Mr. Neville Sherbrooke. 

The correspondent of the Daily Review (and we 
are glad to avail ourselves of the side-lights of the 
secular press) thus describes the state of feeling in 
Sheffield, during that first week of January, 1875 — 
the week of prayer throughout Protestant Christen- 
dom : 

" Sheffield is being greatly stirred by the revival 
services of Messrs. Moody and Sankey. They are at 
present the subject of conversation in families, offices, 
workshops, and factories. The merits and demerits of 
the American evangelists are keenly discussed by 
excited groups at the corners of streets, and the op- 
ponents of the movement attribute its success to 
vulgar curiosity, sensational advertising, and press 
exaggeration. Meanwhile the meetings in connec- 
tion with the movement are on the increase. The 
numbers seeking admission to them are beyond all 
precedent in Sheffield. The admission to the mass- 



328 A DYING MAN'S WANTS. 

meeting last night was by ticket, and it was found 
necessary to engage an additional hall, capable of ac- 
commodating two thousand persons. The average 
attendance at each of the four meetings held in 
the Albert Hall yesterday may be stated at two thou- 
sand five hundred — total, ten thousand. Thirty re- 
quests for the prayers of the noon meeting were 
read. They were from persons in all stages of life 
and grades of society. Mr. Moody stated that many 
more had been received, too late for arrangement, 
which would have to be deferred till next day. The 
Yicar of Sheffield made a touching appeal on behalf 
of a dying man, from whose . bedside he had just 
come. This man, he said, had never heard of Jesus 
till the previous day. Such a crowd of earnest listen- 
ers as attended Mr. Moody's Bible lecture on ' Salva- 
tion by Blood ' was perhaps never before witnessed in 
any assembly hall in Sheffield. Mr. Moody proposed 
at the mass-meeting for men, that similar meetings 
should be instituted, to be held every night in tem- 
perance halls. He asked all approving the proposal 
to stand up, and nearly the whole assembly respond- 
ed." 

On Thursday the demands for admission became 



QUIET ORDER SECURED. 329 

so numerous, that the committee restricted the ad- 
mission by tickets, and had the hall-doors closed as 
soon as the hall was filled. A long list of requests 
for the prayers of the noon meeting was read previous 
to the commencement of the service, and it was 
again intimated that it had been found impossible to 
arrange nearly all sent in. A new feature was, that 
many persons desired to return thanks for their con- 
version through these meetings. Mr. Moody, in a 
brief address from the words, "Declare His doings 
among the people," referred to recent accounts of 
their work in Dublin, Glasgow, and Manchester. 
These were remarkable for their mention of the great 
number of young men who had become converts, and 
devoted themselves to Christian work. He affirmed 
that none of their public services had been followed 
by more gratifying assurances than last night's mass- 
meeting for men. Half an hour before the Bible 
lecture the hall was filled, the doors shut, and many 
hundreds left standing around the entrances. It was 
reported that many of those at the noon meeting had 
remained in their seats. Mr. Moody illustrated the 
Bible lecture by some of the most touching anecdotes 
and appeals ; but happily he repressed the distracting 



330 MEN ONLY. 



exclamations which were frequent among his early 
audiences here. When he requested a few minutes' 
silent prayer, a stillness as of death fell on the vast 
assembly. Many hundreds had to be denied admis- 
sion to the evening meeting, at which Mr. Moody 
gave a very impressive address from the words, " Son, 
remember." Two other meetings — one for men, an- 
other for women— were held elsewhere. The total 
attendance at the meetings that day was about twelve 
thousand. 

On Friday, Mr. Moody having gone to Manchester, 
the prayer-meeting was presided over by the Rev. 
Rowley Hill, Yicar of Sheffield, and participated in 
by other clergymen. Several laymen also took part 
in the proceedings. Forty requests for prayer were 
sent in by letters and telegrams. The evening meet- 
ing was presided over by the Rev. Robert Stainton, 
Independent minister, and addresses bearing on reli- 
gious work were delivered by ministers of all de- 
nominations. A meeting for men only took place at 
a later hour in the Temperance Hall, and was largely 
attended. The singing was conducted by Mr. San- 
key, who rendered, with much effect, some of his most 
touching solos. 



HOW TO ADDRESS CHILDREN. 331 

Rain having fallen heavily all forenoon, the chil- 
dren's meeting at midday on Saturday, the 9th, was 
not quite so largely attended as had been anticipated. 
About one hundred adults were present. Mr. San- 
key presided, and in his opening address gave an 
interesting account of the children's meetings in 
Edinburgh. He deprecated lengthy addresses to 
children. His experience was, that such meetings 
could be made attractive to children by brief, simple 
discourses from several speakers, along with the sing- 
ing of hymns in which the children could intelligently 
join. Addresses were also given by the Yicar and 
other speakers, among whom was Mr. Drummond 
from Edinburgh, a young man already well known 
in connection with the present revival movement. 
In closing the meeting, Mr. Sankey made a touching 
allusion to his approaching departure, that being in 
all probability the last children's meeting he would 
ever address in Sheffield. The evening meeting was 
crowded, and many hundreds were denied admission. 
Mr. Moody spoke from the words, " He was wounded 
for our transgressions," etc., and the picture he pre- 
sented of Christ's death drew tears from hundreds. 
"When he spoke of the resurrection, the enthusiasm 



332 THE LO WEST STRATUM. 

became irrepressible ; it broke out in every part of 
the hall. On the conclusion of the service, hundreds 
went to the inquiry room. A meeting for men was 
held in the Temperance Hall, which was crowded. 
This meeting was addressed by Mr. Drummond and 
others. The excitement and enthusiasm have not 
been so high in Sheffield before. Mingling in the 
crowd, one hears Mr. Moody compared to Paul on 
Mars' Hill. The attendance up to Saturday night 
reached sixty-eight thousand. 

Four meetings were held in the Albert Hall on 
Sunday the 10th. The first, for Christian workers, at 
eight o'clock, was well attended. It would probably 
have been crowded, but a thick drizzling rain, which 
continued most of the day, kept many at home. A 
service for those who do not usually attend any 
church or chapel took place at eleven o'clock. The 
hall was filled, but not quite by the class for whom 
the service was intended. Strenuous efforts had been 
put forth amongst the denizens of the slums to awak- 
en their interest in the movement. Hundreds on 
hundreds of tickets were given away amongst them, 
and expectations were entertained that they would 
attend in large numbers; but a cursory glance was 



FINAL MEETINGS. 333 

sufficient to convince the practised observer that the 
audience did not differ in any perceptible degree from 
former audiences. Many new faces were to be seen, 
but they were those of decent, orderly working-peo- 
ple, or visitors from the rural districts — not the besot- 
ted countenances of the residents of the slums. A 
meeting for women only was announced for three 
o'clock, but by half-past two the hall was crammed to 
suffocation, and the wide street in front was blocked 
with a crowd of both sexes. Every means of persua- 
sion was tried to induce those who were crushed out 
to go and listen to other speakers elsewhere, but in 
vain — they would hear none but Mr. Moody. Final- 
ly, Mr. Moody left the Albert Hall, and addressed 
the people assembled, to the number of many thou- 
sands, in the parish churchyard, situated in the cen- 
ter of the town. Similarly the hall was crammed, 
and thousands denied admission, an hour before the 
commencement of the evening service. 

The interest and the numbers grew as the days of 
the second week passed, till the sixteenth, when final 
services, four in number, one of them being for con- 
verts to the number of about six hundred, the fruit of 
the fortnight's labor. 



334 THE WORLD'S TOYSHOP. 

To the value of the work in Sheffield, testimony 
was borne by the Yicar (the Rev. Rowley Hill, 
M. A.) : 

"I rejoice that God has put it into the hearts of 
those two evangelists to come and ^isit Sheffield. 
We wanted a good stirring up from end to end in 
this town, and there is nothing that more delights 
my heart than to have people brought under the 
sound of the Gospel. A great number of people who 
do not go to church or chapel have been stirred up 
by these men, and I trust very great blessing will re- 
sult from it. All I have heard fall from the lips of 
Mr. Moody, or sung by Mr. Sankey, was really re- 
freshing to one's soul. No doubt we shall always 
have starchy, stiff kind of people who don't 'like 
that sort of thing ; ' but when a man preaches the 
Gospel, when a man is seen doing the work of God, 
and when there can be little doubt the Holy Ghost is 
working with him, it is a solemn thing to do any- 
thing as gainsaying that work, or do anything to op- 
pose or hinder it." 

From Sheffield the American brethren proceeded 
to Birmingham — " the toyshop of the world " as it has 
been called, with a population of four hundred thou- 



REV. R. W. DALE. 335 

sand. Of the first week's work there, a writer in the 
Signs of the Times reports : 

u The audiences are very much larger than at Man- 
chester ; and the city is moved to a much greater ex- 
tent. The noon-day meetings in the Town Hall are 
attended by three to four thousand, people, and the 
evening meetings in the Bingley Hall by ten thou- 
sand to fifteen thousand. 

" One cause that has undoubtedly conduced to this 
result is the prominence given by the Birmingham 
newspapers to reports of the meetings. Two or three 
columns have been given by some of the local papers 
every day, furnishing accounts of the proceedings, 
whereas in Manchester the Press took little or no notice 
of the movement. Another cause is, that many of the 
local clergymen of the Church of England have taken 
a leading part in the movement at Birmingham." 

Prominent among the ministers who stood by the 
evangelists in Birmingham, was the Rev. R. W. 
Dale, successor to the pulpit of the well-known John 
AngelJames, author of the "Anxious Enquirer," and 
who for a long life-time preached and lived the truth 
in the city. 

We shall allow the ^Birmingham Morning News 



336 WHA T DOES IT MEAN? 

to convey the impression the evangelists made on 
the community. One does not look for the report of 
the spiritual results in a secular paper : 

" Unheralded, and comparatively unknown, Messrs. 
Moody and Sankey came to England, without any 
new creed or sectarian formula, and straightway be- 
gan a work which gathers power and force as it goes 
on. On a dull, raw, and inclement Sunday morning 
in January, such is the unseen magic of their names, 
that they can crowd a large hall in the center of a 
practical, industrial town with worshipers at an hour 
which would be considered early even on a week-day. 
That same evening they attract to a still larger edifice 
crowds which would be almost unusual in a period of 
intense national excitement. Again at noon-day, at 
a time when the bench and the desk chain their 
workers with the strongest bonds, thousands after 
thousands throng to meet them at the prayer-meeting 
until the Town Hall presents the appearance of a 
gigantic bee-hive, swarming with masses of people, to 
whom it is evident there must be some strong induce- 
ment thus to forsake the ordinary routine of their 
lives. 

" Kor does the story close here. In the evenings 



A T BINGLEY HALL. 337 

at Bingley Hall is gathered together an assembly 
which equals the population of many towns, and a 
degree of enthusiasm manifested which promises to 
increase the numbers present at every succeeding 
meeting. A small harmonium, a few simple hymns, 
and short, stirring addresses on religious topics com- 
prise all that the public see or hear. Yet the influ- 
ence of Messrs. Moody and Sankey is overwhelming ; 
and although it may be almost too soon to speak defi- 
nitely of the permanent results of their labors in 
4 evangelizing the masses,' it is not too much to say 
that in numberless instances they have evoked a state 
of anxious inquiry with regard to the future in minds 
which ordinary religious services failed to arouse." 

Then follows a description of the men, not how- 
ever required by our readers, interested particularly 
in knowing what naanner of work they appeared to 
do. The News proceeds : 

"Entering Bingley Hall, between four and five 
o'clock m the afternoon, the visitor sees a wide wilder- 
ness of chairs. Although it is more than three hours 
to the commencement of the service, groups of intend- 
ing hearers are scattered about the building, some 
sitting meditatively quiet, reading hymn-books or 
15 



338 THE VOICE OF PRAISE. 

Bibles, others holding subdued discussions upon re- 
vival themes. In the galleries are temporary stands, 
which make the hall a sort of oblong amphitheater, the 
speakers' platform being on one of the sides. The 
abundant use of crimson cloth in draping the stands 
has given a very comfortable aspect to what is, per- 
haps, in its normal state one of the dreariest- looking 
public buildings in the Midland Counties. As the 
hours wear on, small groups of people are, by a wise 
arrangement, admitted as they assemble at the doors, 
and thus crowding and crushing at the entrances in a 
great measure are obviated. Suddenly, from some 
part of the assembling mass, is heard the beginning 
of a hymn. As fresh comers enter, the strains are 
taken up, and the effect in the empty aud resonant 
space is singularly impressive. Rank after rank of 
the silent sitting crowds take up the melody, until it 
fairly rolls through the building. The greatest favor- 
ite seems the hymn ' Hold the Fort.' Singing this 
and other hymns, crowds of people continue to pour 
in until the hall is filled, ten thousand chairs being 
occupied. Round the galleries, too, is a thick fringe 
of human faces, and the ha]l seems to be from one 
end to the other literally packed with human beings. 



PRACTICAL WISDOM. 339 

" The Gospel addresses delivered every evening to 
these vast audiences by Mr. Moody have their effect, 
heightened by the hymns and solos of Mr. Sankey. 
In his discourses Mr. Moody evidently knows the 
power of describing home-life, both scriptural and 
modern, with all its pathetic touches. Relating now 
some of his own American experiences, or again, inci- 
dents of his stay in England or Dublin, he charges 
home upon his hearers the lessons he wishes learnt. 
Now and again he moves many persons in the 
audience to tears by a homely expression so entirely 
spontaneous and unstilted that it carries every one 
with it. And when, after the sermon and a period for 
silent prayer, the preacher exhorts those who ' really 
would like to be Christians to go right to the Pres- 
byterian Church,' where he would meet them, and 
between two an d- three hundred persons obey the call, 
it cannot but be doubted that Mr. Moody's oratory, 
whatever its excellence or defects, can produce results 
which are unusually and significantly powerful." 

Of Bingley Hall, a correspondent of the Christian 
shrewdly says (and the hint is worth the consideration 
of all who desire moral and spiritual results) : " It has 
been provided with nine thousand chairs. They were 



340 THE CONVENTION. 

hired for a fortnight, at a cost of seven pence per 
chair, including fixing and removal. It may seem 
incongruous to say that a person is more likely to be 
converted in a chair than on a seat without a back, but 
this is really so, for if he be sitting in an uncomforta- 
ble position, it is impossible that he should pay the same 
attention, or yield himself to the influences around him 
in the same degree, that he would if his attention 
were not distracted by his physical discomfort. 

" Not a sound of footsteps is heard, for the floors of 
the galleries, as well as of the area, have been laid 
with sawdust. The noiselessness consequent upon 
the arrangement is not a mere negative advantage, 
for the unusual stillness in so vast a throng adds won- 
derfully to the solemnity of the audience." 

The " Convention," as at Inverness, Dublin, and 
elsewhere, wound up the Birmingham services. The 
Rev. Newman Hall, from London, the Rev. W. Flem- 
ing Stevenson, from Dublin, and many strangers, took 
part, and made addresses. 

It was held in Bingley Hall. Mr. Moody presided 
all day. It was a great meeting in every sense of the 
term. The audience numbered from five thousand to 
six thousand. 



BESULTS TO CHB1STIANS. 341 

The attendance of ministers of all denominations, 
from all parts, was very large. The results of the 
services are thus summed up by an intelligent ob- 
server : 

"Messrs. Moody and Sankey have finished their 
term here, and retire for a week to rest, before they 
enter on their engagements in Liverpool. The last 
three days have certainly been the most impressive we 
have had. Evidently the Lord has been on the 
scene. If we don't take that view of the unparalleled 
movement in the history of Birmingham, we are even 
at a greater loss to account for it than the world itself. 
That there will be much that will pass away with 
the men as they go will prove nothing against those 
who stand, and will be nothing worse than what hap- 
pened in our Saviour's time, when ' many went back, 
and walked no more with Him.' But, separating the 
chaff from the wheat, we have these four great bless- 
ings left : 

" 1st. Christians have learned to love one another, 
and work together for one common object — the salva- 
tion of souls. 

" 2d. A great quickening of the divine life in the 
souls of believers. We have learned to pray more, to 



342 FAREWELL VISIT. 

watch more closely, to work more earnestly for 
God. 

" 3d. Many souls have been converted of whom there 
is no doubt. Their works bear witness that they are 
born of God. 

"4th. Yast numbers have heard the word, who, 
although they have not yet found the Lord, may be 
led to think, to believe, to praise God for his salva- 
tion. 

" May our hearts be tuned to sing the praise of our 
dear Lord Jesus Christ, and yield to Him the full 
tribute of affectionate service ! 

" Mr. Moody speaks in high terms of the committee 
that arranged for him and assisted him here, of the 
building where he preached, and the orderly character 
of the congregations." 

A visit was made on Friday, February 5 th, to say 
farewell to those who had received spiritual life, as 
they hoped, during the fortnight's mission. At the 
service held in Bingley Hall, about fifteen thousand 
persons were present. Seats were railed off for those 
who had been converted, and every one of them was 
filled, admission to that part of the hall being by 
ticket. Mr. Moody addressed himself chiefly to the 



LIVERPOOL. 343 



converts, and the service was concluded by a hymn of 
farewell, sung by Mr. Sankey. Great emotion was 
exhibited by the audience.* 

In Liverpool. 

These eminent evangelists commenced their labors 
in Liverpool on Sabbath morning, 7th February, un- 
der the most encouraging circumstances. The ser- 
vices were well attended — thousands were excluded 
from the afternoon and evening meetings from want 
of accommodation. The people listened with intense 
earnestness. The meetings were held in the Victoria 
Hall — the new building specially constructed for the 
purpose being so named. It is entirely of wood, and 
has cost about £4,000, a large sum for a building 
that was only to be used for a month, and taken 
down at the end of that time. 

"It affords accommodation to about 8,000 persons, 
exclusive of platform seats. It is lighted by eighty- 

*Up to this point the Editors have enjoyed, and gratefully 
acknowledge the valuable aid of the Rev. I. S. Woodside, whose 
earnest labors in Northern India have been greatly blessed of 
God, and whose season of much-needed rest in this country has 
been varied by not a few useful labors. May he be permitted to 
see in his chosen field similar religious awakening ! 



34J: THE VICTORIA HALL. 

three windows, and there are no less than twenty 
doors for exit, all opening outwards. There are five 
staircases for the gallery. Yery complete arrange- 
ments have been made for lighting and warming. 
Interiorly the sides or walls have been covered with 
canvas and papered with oak paper. Ventilation is 
provided in the roof by two large trunks with outlets. 
In rear of the large hall are two ' inquiry ' and meet- 
ing-rooms, and retiring rooms for ladies and gentle- 
men. About thirty thousand cubic feet of timber 
have been used in the construction, and three thou- 
sand two hundred superficial feet of glass. The erec- 
tion has occupied altogether thirty-nine working 
days." 

The first meeting — for Christian workers — was 
held at eight o'clock in the morning, and though the 
weather was intensely cold and raw, about five thou- 
sand or six thousand were present. Probably so 
great and so striking a gathering of a similar charac- 
ter has never before been seen in Liverpool. The 
somber appearance of the building itself was a little 
relieved by the red baize around the front of the 
galleries, on which, in large white letters, were the 
texts, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ;" "Be ye 



EXPECT GREAT TR1XGS. 



reconciled to God;"' and " Ye must be born again/ 5 
At the platform end of the building was exhibited in 
still larger letters the words, i; God is love.*' A large 
number of ministers and laymen occupied seats 
on the platform, where also were stationed the choir 
of young ladies and gentlemen who have been spe- 
cially trained to sing at the service. 

Precisely at eight o'clock the choir, which seemed 
to be excellently trained, the voices being bright and 
well-balanced, and skillfully led, commenced the 
hymn, " Jesus Loves even Me." 

The Rev. Henry Baugh (Episcopalian) having en- 
gaged in prayer, Mr. Sankey having sang u Hold the 
Fort." and some other pieces, Mr. Moody delivered 
his address to Christian workers, and in the course of 
his remarks said: — "MTow if we are going to see a 
great work in this town of Liverpool, the children of 
God must be of good courage. Let us expect great 
things and not be afraid of public opinion/'* Before 
the departure of the congregation he condemned the 
sale of hymn-books at the doors on Sundays, and con- 
tinued: "It had been said that they were making 
money out of the sale of the hymn-books. But this 
was not so, for they were only connected with the 
15* 



346 MONE Y- MAKING. 



publication of one edition, the proceeds of the sale 
of which were handed over to Mr. Hugh Matheson of 
London, for charitable purposes. The enemy were 
also saying that they were making a great deal out of 
the sale of organs. They were not selling organs, 
nor were they hired by any organ society or company 
to represent them. He saw boys selling an account 
of his life, with portraits of him. He wished peo- 
ple would not buy them." 

Even with the miserable weather, there was an 
audience of at least ten thousand people at the even- 
ing meeting, and it is said about four thousand or five 
thousand persons were unable to get admission. The 
great bulk of the audience was composed of the mid- 
dle and respectable artizan classes, with here and 
there representatives of the poorer classes in fustian 
jackets, while no mean proportion of the assembly 
was made up of youths and girls. On the platform 
were several ministers, and several gentlemen of 
prominent positions. 

On Monday the first of a series of mid-day prayer- 
meetings was held at which about three thousand 
people were present. 

The evening meeting was held at half past seven, 



" THE WORLD TO COME" 347 

and was attended by an immense gathering. Mr. 
Moody opened with the hymn, " Free from the Law," 
and Mr. T. Shuldham Henry led in prayer, and was 
succeeded by the reading of Luke, chapter 15, and a 
solo from Mr. Sankey. Mr. Moody preached on 
Christ's mission in the world. At the conclusion of 
his sermon Mr. Moody asked all who were uncon- 
verted to stand up, and a great many stood up. An 
after-meeting was held for which about two thousand 
people remained. 

On Tuesday's mid-day prayer-meeting no less than 
five thousand people were present. 

At half -past seven on the same day the evening 
service was conducted, which was likewise well at- 
tended. Mr. Moody spoke of Christ's willingness to 
save sinners, and said there were hundreds of ways 
in which he sought them out. Referring to eternity, 
Mr. Moody said he believed in the old-fashioned 
hell and the old-fashioned heaven ; and as he believed 
no heart could conceive the bliss of heaven, so he be- 
lieved no heart could conceive the horrors of hell. 
Several thousands stopped for the inquiry-meeting, 
held immediately afterwards. 
' On Wednesday the noon prayer-meeting was 



34:8 ANXIO US INQ UIRERS. 

crowded. Mr. Moody opened the service with the 
hymn, " Sweet Hour of Prayer." A large number 
of requests were read, and prayer offered on their 
behalf. 

At the evening service Mr. Moody preached from 
Isaiah, 6th chapter, to a large and attentive audience. 
An inquiry-meeting was held at the conclusion of 
this service, and several thousand people remained to 
be conversed with. 

Thus, with little variation from week to week, the 
services continued in Liverpool. Of the third week 
it is testified : 

" Despite the arctic severity of the weather during 
the past week, the audiences at Victoria Hall at the 
afternoon and evening meetings of the American 
evangelists have been as crowded as ever, and large 
overflow meetings have been held in the evening in 
Newsome's Circus. The anxious inquiry-room, which 
holds between two and three hundred, has been un- 
able to contain all who resorted to it, and some hun- 
dreds of anxious inquirers have been addressed and 
conversed with in the large hall at the close of the 
evening service." 

That Mr. Moody encouraged no " healing slightly " 



MISLEADING COUNSEL. 3-49 

of wounded hearts, will appear to a thoughtful reader, 
familiar with a certain style of revival effort, from his 
words to the Christian workers in Liverpool : 

"I don't fear so much evil from attacks 6* our 
enemies as from the want of wisdom amongst some 
of our friends. Only the other night I heard one 
friend say to the anxious inquirer to whom he was 
speaking, 'You believe you are saved, and you are 
saved.' ISTow, that is not in the Word of God. You 
cannot find it in the Bible, that we are saved if 
we believe it. We are told to believe in Christ. 
Another said, 'Do yon feel you are saved?' Now, 
that is the worst possible advice. What we want is 
to get men out of their feelings. Feeling is the last 
plank the devil slips beneath the sinner when he is 
trying to reach the Rock of Ages. When the poor 
sinner feels his feet on this plank he thinks he's all 
right. But soon away goes the plank, and he is again 
cast on a sea of perplexity. Then he cries, ' Dear me, 
I thought I was converted, I felt so happy ! ' What 
we must have is to get them to rest on some text of 
God's Word, and then they'll stand safe. I could 
point many other errors, but I wish just to show 
you the right way of dealing with the anxious. 



350 BIBLE WORDS. 



Have a Bible in your hand, ready to show chapter 
and verse for every hope. It does them good to see 
the Word of God. I have no sympathy with 
that class who tell the inquirer, 'Now you are 
converted.' 

" We don't know that — God alone knows the 
heart. Let it be a question between the sinner and 
God himself. It is well to have some useful passages 
marked in your Bible ready to turn up. I will give 
you some that I have found of great benefit: Romans 
x. 10; Isaiah i. 18; John v. 24; John i. 13; 1 Peter 
ii. 24." 

There is no minister in Liverpool enjoying more 
fully the confidence of the Christian public than the 
Rev. J. B. Lowe, D.D., of St. Jude's. He writes 
thus : 

" If I were to select one word by which to express 
my impression of the work of Mr. Moody and Mr. 
Sankey in this town, I should speak of its genuineness. 
The men themselves are genuine. They are not arti- 
ficial, with anything of the character of an actor; they 
are true men, their heart in the Lord's work, and 
their eye single. Some persons are disappointed 
when they first hear Mr. Moody, and say he does not 



genuineness:' 351 



come up to the expectations they had entertained 
respecting him. Herein lie differs from an artificial 
got-up man, who would put his best foot foremost, 
and come prepared to make a great impression, and 
to take every one by storm. 

"But Mr. Moody aims not to produce a mere effect, 
but to instil vital truths of saving power into the 
minds of his audience, and the impression made by 
him grows stronger and stronger as he proceeds. His 
manifest sincerity and earnestness are prominent fea- 
tures. Some, after hearing Mr. Moody for the first 
time, are surprised at the fame of these evangelists 
which has been noised abroad, but on going again 
have formed a higher estimate of his preaching. His 
continual increase in power over his hearers, is, in its 
way, an illustration of the proverb, 'The righteous 
shall hold on his way, and he that has clean hands 
shall wax stronger and stronger. 5 

"As regards the genuineness of the work, as well 
as of the men, one is struck with the great simplicity 
of Mr. Moody's speech, and the total absence of carnal 
excitement in his manner and utterance. Earnest- 
ness there is, indeed, and zeal and eloquence (though 
not oratory), but it is moral and spiritual, not carnal 



352 POWER OF HOLDING ON. 

or sensational. His manner is rather behind than at 
the head of his subject-matter."* 

* Probably no one has better known or more cordially sus- 
tained Mr. D. L. Moody than Mr. J. V. Farwell, of Chicago, 
equally known as an energetic merchant and Christian worker. 
" The good thing/* said he, " about Brother Moody is, that he 
keeps on the one line, and the longer he is known the more he 
is trusted." 



CHAPTER VII. 

LIVERPOOL TO LONDON. 

In this concluding chapter we shall not attempt to 
enter into the same details as have been given con- 
cerning other places, for the religions newspapers of 
March and April, and even the better class of secular 
papers have been describing the evangelists' work in 
Liverpool, Birmingham, and London. We shall en- 
deavor to combine with the facts, the expressed opin- 
ion of widely-known Christian men. We shall also 
seek to answer the very natural question : " What is 
the state of religious feeling in places visited, say a 
year ago ? " 

Rev. R. W. Dale, of Birmingham, the Rev. Mr. 
James' successor says, in the Congregationalist : 

" Some people have said that it is easy to get crowds 
of women to ' hysterical ' religious services. But al- 
though the morning and afternoon meetings were 
largely attended by women, I believe that the major- 
ity of the evening congregation always consisted of 
men, and of men of all kinds — rough lads of seven- 
teen or eighteen, working-men, clerks, tradesmen, 



354: NOT HYSTERICAL, 

and manufacturers. I happen to have on my desk a 
list of persons that came into Carr's Lane Lecture-room 
one evening, to tell me that they had ' found Christ, 5 
during the fortnight that Mr. Moody and Mr. Sankey 
were here ; out of twenty-one on the list eleven are 
men. I have another list of persons who came to me 
the same evening, who had been quickened to earnest 
religious anxiety, but were not yet at rest; out of 
thirteen, eight are men. I believe that these lists im- 
perfectly represent the proportion of men to women 
among those who were impressed by the services; 
for I generally find that men are slower to express 
religious decision than women. 

" How, I ask, is the great interest of the people in 
these services to be accounted for ? The truest, sim- 
plest, and most complete reply to the question which I 
can give is, that the power of God was manifested in 
an extraordinary degree in connection with them." 

After mentioning concurrent circumstances favor- 
able to impression, such as expectation raised, general 
concern among church-goers who never decided, and 
letters of friends, Mr. Dale adds : 

" After the first day or two, the services were ; ad- 
vertised ' in a very much more efficient manner than 



THE BEST AD VEETISEMENTS. 355 

by newspapers or placards: every evening, at the 
' after-meeting/ a considerable number of persons 
received Christ as their 'Prince and Saviour/ and 
judging from those with whom I conversed, most of 
them went home with overflowing joy. I have seen 
occasional instances before of instant transition from 
religious anxiety to the clear and triumphant conscious- 
ness of restoration to God ; but what struck me in 
the gallery of Bingley Hall was the fact that this in- 
stant transition took place with nearly every person 
with whom I talked. They had come up into the 
gallery anxious, restless, feeling after God in the 
darkness, and when, after a conversation of a quarter 
of an hour or twenty minutes, they went away, their 
faces were filled with light, and they left me not only 
at peace with God, but filled with joy. I have seen 
the sunrise from the top of Helvellyn and the top of 
the Righi, and there is something very glorious in it ; 
but to see the light of heaven suddenly strike on 
man after man in the course of one evening is very 
much more thrilling. These people carried their 
new joy with them to their homes and their work- 
shops. It could not be hid. 

" On the Sunday after Mr. Moody and Mr. Sankey 



356 ALL CLASSES OF PERSONS 

had left us, I invited those members of my own con- 
gregation to meet me who had come to Christ during 
the services of the preceding fortnight. A few who 
were still out at sea, longing to make their way to 
quiet water, came with them. Nothing was easier than 
to tell the difference between the two classes ; I think 
I could have separated them into two divisions with- 
out asking a question and with scarcely a mistake. 
Those who were still ' inquirers/ if they did not look 
anxious and troubled, looked like other people ; the 
' converts ' were bright with their new joy. It is as 
yet too early to obtain any general information about 
the extent of the influence which I have attributed to 
the converts themselves ; but among the names that I 
have on several lists of persons that I saw myself, I 
find the names of two clerks who sat side by side at 
the same desk, three pairs of brothers and sisters, 
three husbands with their wives ; and four brothers 
— rough working-men — all of whom have been awak- 
ened to religious thought by Mr. Moody's addresses. 
" The people were of all sorts, young and old, rich 
and poor, keen tradesmen, manufacturers, and mer- 
chants, and young ladies who had just left school, 
rough boys who knew more about dogs and pigeons 



WARMTH AND BRIGHTNESS. 357 

than about books, and cultivated women. For a time 
I could not understand it — I am not sure that I under- 
stand it now. At the first meeting, Mr. Moody's ad- 
dress was simple, direct, kindly, and hopeful : it had 
a touch of humor and a touch of pathos ; it was lit up 
with a story or two that filled most eyes with tears ; 
but there seemed nothing in it very remarkable. Yet 
it told. A prayer-meeting with an address, at eight 
o'clock, on a damp, cold January morning, was hardly 
the kind of thing — let me say it frankly — that I 
should generally regard as attractive ; but I en- 
joyed it heartily; it seemed one of the happiess 
meetings I had ever attended. There was warmth 
and there was sunlight in it. At the evening meet- 
ing the same day, at Bingley Hall, I was still un- 
able to make out how it was that he had done so 
much in other parts of the kingdom. I listened with 
interest ; everybody listened with interest ; and I was 
conscious again of a certain warmth and brightness 
which made the service very pleasant, but I could not 
see that there was much to impress those that were 
careless about religious duty. The next morning at 
the prayer-meeting, the address was more incisive and 
striking, and at the evening service I began to see 



358 « EASY TO SPEAK SO." 

that the stranger had a faculty for making the ele- 
mentary truths of the Gospel intensely clear and vivid. 
But it still seemed most remarkable that he should 
have done so much, and on Tuesday I told Mr. 
Moody that the work was most plainly of God, for I 
could see no real relation between him and what he 
had done. He laughed cheerily and said he should 
be very sorry if it were otherwise. I began to won- 
der whether what I had supposed to be a law of the 
Divine Kingdom was perfectly uniform. I thought 
that there were scores of us who could preach as ef- 
fectively as Mr. Moody, and who might, therefore, 
with God's good help, be equally successful. 

" In the course of a day or two my mistake was cor- 
rected ; but to the last there were sensible people who 
listened to him with a kind of interest and delight 
with which they never listen to very ' distinguished ' 
and eloquent preachers, and who yet thought that 
though Mr. Moody was 'very simple and earnest,' 
he had no particular power as a speaker. I do not 
intend to suggest any comparison between Mr. Moody 
and our great English orator, but I have met peo- 
ple who have talked in the same way about Mr. 
Bright, and who seemed to think that to speak like 
Mr, Bright was possible to nearly everybody. 



LIGHT IF THE 80 UL 359 

" One of the elements of Mr. Moody's power con- 
sists in his perfect naturalness. He has something 
to say, and he says it — says it as simply and. directly 
to thirteen thousand people as to thirteen. He has 
nothing of the impudence into which some speakers 
are betrayed when they try to be easy and unconven- 
tional ; but he talks in a perfectly unconstrained and 
straightforward way, just as he would talk to half a 
dozen old friends at his fireside. 

" The number of persons who remained for the af- 
ter-meeting was so large, that a general appeal had to 
be made again and again to Christian people in the 
congregation to give their help. Some responded 
who had more enthusiasm than good sense. But 
notwithstanding this, the results of the after-meeting 
were extraordinary. I have already spoken of the 
number of persons with whom I conversed myself, 
to whom, while I was conversing with them, the 
light came which springs from the discovery of God's 
love and power, and from the acceptance of His will 
as the law of life. Testimony after testimony has 
reached me from converts, to whom the same light 
came while conversing with others. 1 1 went up 
into the gallery/ said one young man to me, a day 



360 THE AFTER-MEETING. 

or two ago, ' and Mr. Sankey walked up and down 
with me, and talked to me as though he had been my 
own father, and I found Christ. 5 

" The preaching without the after-meeting would 
not have accomplished one-fifth of the results. It 
was in the quiet, unexciting talk with individuals that 
the impressions produced by Mr. Moody's addresses 
issued in a happy trust in Christ, and a clear decision 
to live a Christian life. The galleries were a beauti- 
ful sight. Mr. Moody's quaint directions were almost 
universally followed : l Let the young men talk to 
the young men, the maidens to the maidens, the elder 
women to the elder women, and the elder men to the 
elder men.' Cultivated young ladies were sitting 
or standing with girls of their own age, sometimes 
with two or three together, whose eager faces indi- 
cated the earnestness of their desire to understand 
how they were to lay hold of the great blessing 
which they seemed to be touching, but could not 
grasp. Young men were talking to lads, some of 
their own social position, others with black hands and 
rough clothes, which were suggestive of gunmaking, 
and rolling-mills, and brass-foundries. Ladies of re- 
finement were trying to make the truth clear to 



NUMBERING THE PEOPLE. 361 

women whose worn faces and poor dress told of the 
hardships of their daily life. Men of business, local 
politicians, were at the same work with men of forty 
and fifty years of age. And there was the brightness 
of hope and faith in the tone, and manner, and bear- 
ing of nearly all of them. Christian people who 
want to know the real nature of the work of our 
American brethren, and to catch its spirit, should 
take care to spend a few hours at the after-meeting. 
If they go twice, they will find it hard to keep away. 
" Separate arrangements were made for those of the 
young men who preferred an after-meeting of their 
own. A Presbyterian church in the neighborhood 
of the hall was thrown open for them, and the at- 
tendance was generally very large. Mr. Moody does 
not approve of the publication of the number of per- 
sons who have declared that they have been led to 
begin a Christian life as the result of these services, 
and I therefore do not feel at liberty to publish in 
these pages the information on this point which is in 
my possession. A week after he had left us, he re- 
turnedto hold a farewell meeting for converts and 
inquirers. Ministers sat at the office of the Young 

Men's Christian Association to receive applications 
16 



362 REFLECTION AT HOME. 

for tickets from both these classes of persons. In 
every case I believe that there was personal conver- 
sation with the applicants. Their names and ad- 
dresses were registered, and the congregations with 
which they were already connected, or with which 
they intended to connect themselves. 

" The effect of this work has extended beyond 
those who were present at the services ; and very 
much of the good that has been effected is never 
likely to be known. Since I began to write this 
paper, a son of one of the members of my own 
church, a lad of seventeen, came to me and said he 
wished to enter the Church. I talked to him for a 
few minutes, and took for granted, that Mr. Moody's 
services had led him to religious decision. He had 
all the brightness and joyousness which I have come 
to regard as characteristic of the typical ' Moody con- 
vert.' I asked him which of the services had had 
the greatest effect on him, and he said that his busi- • 
ness engagements had prevented him from going to 
any of them. ' How was it, then,' I asked, ; that 
you came to trust in Christ ? ' ' Well sir,' he said, 
' I could not go to the meetings, but I heard a great 
deal of what these two gentlemen were doing, and I 



CHRISTIANS HELPED. 363 



came to the conclusion that they could not be doing 
it themselves, but that God must be doing it ; and 
then I came to see that I could look to God myself 
and get all the good.' 

" Some of the most remarkable results of the visit of 
our American friends are to be found, perhaps, among 
those who have long been members of Christian 
churches. I hardly know how to describe the change 
which has passed over them. It is like the change 
which comes upon a landscape when clouds which 
have been hanging over it for hours suddenly vanish, 
and the sunlight seems to fill both heaven and earth. 
There is a joyousness, and an elasticity of spirit, and 
a hopefulness, which have completely transformed 
them ; and the transformation shows itself in the un- 
ostentatious eagerness with which they are taking up 
Christian work. 

" If I thought it worth while, I could speak of some 
things in this work which are not to my taste, and 
some things which my judgment disapproves. But, 
before Mr. Moody and Mr. Sankey came to Birming- 
ham, I had arrived at the conclusion that what was 
said of the early evangelists of Antioch was the 
truest account of the work of these American evan- 



364 MISSING THE BLESSING. 

gelists in Scotland and Ireland — ' The hand of the 
Lord was with them ; and a great number believed, 
and turned unto the Lord.' This conviction has 
been deepened and confirmed by all that I have seen 
of them. When Whitefield and Wesley were renew- 
ing the religious life of England, there were learned, 
orthodox, and devout ministers who were distressed 
by ' The Decay of the Dissenting Interest,' and the 
low state of religion throughout the country ; there 
were ministers who had written pamphlets on these 
subjects in the hope of re-awakening in the Christian 
churches of that time the faith and zeal of earlier 
and better days, but who regarded Whitefield and 
Wesley with a distrust like that with which Mr. 
Moody and Mr. Sankey are now regarded by some 
excellent people. The very objections which are 
urged against Mr. Moody and Mr. Sankey were urged 
against the leaders of the great evangelical revival 
which saved England from sinking into atheism. 
The result was inevitable ; these ministers and their 
churches missed the blessing for which they had been 
longing and praying. When 'the power of God' 
is with men who preach what we acknowledge to be 
the great truths of the Gospel, it is surely our clear 



SYMPATHY NEEDED. 365 

duty to co-operate with them heartily and frankly. 
If in their methods, and if in their very conception 
of Christian truth and the Christian life, there are 
some things which we cannot accept, these may surely 
be borne with, and even forgotten. These men es- 
pecially, who are in the habit of insisting on ; breadth' 
of sympathy with all in whom there is genuine Chris- 
tian earnestness, and who are always saying that rigid 
accuracy in doctrinal definitions is of inferior impor- 
tance to a living faith in Christ, ought to be able to 
rise above the kind of objections which seem likely 
to alienate some of them from this work. 

"It is possible that in some places, our American 
visitors may not achieve the kind of success which 
has hitherto followed them. Before they came to 
Birmingham, I felt very doubtful whether they 
would accomplish here what they had accomplished 
in Dublin and Belfast. I believe they will accom- 
plish very little in any place where they are not sus- 
tained by the hearty sympathy of Christian people, 
and where Christian churches do not earnestly en- 
treat God to manifest in connection with their work 
the transcendent greatness of His power and love. 
There were people among whom our Lord Himself 



366 REV. W. H. M. AITKEN. 

' could do no mighty works, because of their unbe- 
lief.' " 

The work in Liverpool is thus described by Rev. 
"W". H. M. Aitken, Christ Church (we necessarily ab- 
breviate), after it had been in progress for some time, 
and when the noonday service was attended by about 
six thousand persons : 

" There is no diminution in the interest which 
Messrs. Moody and Sankey's visit is occasioning ; on 
the contrary, the meetings have never been so full as 
during the first days of the present week. It is a 
very hopeful sign that, at Sunday morning's meet- 
ing (Feb. 21), the hall was completely filled by 8 
o'clock ; whereas, when Mr. Moody first arrived, and 
there was all the influence of curiosity to bring to- 
gether a large audience, the hall was not more than 
half filled at that hour. The meeting for non-church- 
goers was again well attended. Some who were 
present felt that the tone of the meeting was not 
quite equal to the wonderful morning meeting of the 
previous Sunday. 

" The meeting for women was again crowded ; and 
so was the supplementary meeting for young men at 
St. James' Hall, where addresses were delivered by 



A HARVEST-NIGHT. 367 

the Rev. Mr. Symington, and Mr. Balfour of Edin- 
burgh. In the evening an immense multitude of 
men was gathered together, and the circus, as well as 
the Victoria Hall, was crowded. The number of 
those who were seeking the salvation of their souls is 
stated to have been very large, both on this and on 
the two following nights. The circus has been se- 
cured for the next fortnight, and is being utilized 
every night — first for an overflow-meeting, which 
lasts from 7 30 to 8 30, and then for a meeting 
specially for young men from 9 till 10. 

" Perhaps Tuesday night last was one of the most 
remarkable harvest-nights that Mr. Moody has had 
here. After a considerable number of inquirers had 
gone into the ante-room, he invited the anxious, and 
only those, to remain in the body of the hall. It is 
impossible to say that there may not have been some 
considerable proportion of real believers mixed up 
with the multitude of persons who remained behind ; 
but as these numbered something like one thousand, 
even making allowance for the believers present, the 
number of those who were really seeking after the 
Lord must have been very large. 

" The special meetings in Victoria Hall have 



368 OPPOSITION MELTED. 

taken an intense hold on the town. The great build- 
ing is much too small for the work. Messrs. Moody 
and Sankey hold eighteen meetings in it weekly, and 
day by day the hall is packed to overflowing. Mr. 
Moody gave his lecture on Daniel at 8 o'clock last 
Sunday morning to an audience of not less than ten 
thousand, and those who could not find room in the 
hall were addressed in the circus adjoining by Cap- 
tain Dutton of the ' Allan Line. 5 Many thousands 
had to travel long distances in the bitter weather of 
last Sunday to reach the hall in time for the meeting. 
ISTo movement like it has ever been seen in this part 
of England. 

" The finger of God is seen in all departments of 
the work. The erection of Victoria Hall for the 
meetings, made the expenses of the visit to Liverpool 
unusually heavy. Nearly four thousand pounds have 
been already received, and God will provide the rest. 
Then, again, the apathy of many in the meetings has 
been turned into the deepest interest. Opposition to 
the movement is diminishing. In fact, it may be 
said there is now no intelligent opposition, and 
any ignorant opposition that exists is fast melting 
away. When the critics ' come and see ' the work of 



BOYS IW WORK-SHOPS. 369 

the Lord, they very soon assume a respectful attitude. 
Testimony to the blessed results of the meetings is most 
abundant. Every day large numbers of sincere inquir- 
ers testify, by their eager desire to know the way of 
God more fully byprivate conversation in the ' inquiry- 
room, 3 that the truth has taken a living hold upon 
them. The testimony, not only of the majority of 
the clergymen of Liverpool, but of ministers from all 
parts of Wales and the North of England, who have 
come to the meetings, is that their own souls have 
been strengthened, and that they feel God is pre- 
paring them for times of refreshing and revival in 
their several spheres of labor such as they have not 
seen before. There are few Sunday-schools here 
where the teachers are not teaching with new 
fervor and power. Some are filled with amazement at 
what the Lord is doing in their classes. Take one in- 
stance of twenty lads, mostly employed in an iron- 
work at Birkenhead, where youths, as in other work- 
shops, too often and too readily learn the blasphe- 
mous language and vile ways of the workmen. Their 
Sunday-school teacher is praising God to-day for 
the change wrought upon his class within the past 
weeks. Instead of foul talk they are now heard sing- 
le* 



370 "NEVER BE AS WE WERE:' 

ing Mr. Sankey's Gospel hymns ; and by their con- 
duct to their parents and teacher, and both in their 
work and out of it, they are showing that they have 
been with Jesus. Take another case of a similar sort. 
At a shipbuilding yard not far from Birkenhead, the 
young lads, since these special meetings commenced 
in Victoria Hall, have met for prayer and the read- 
ing of the Scriptures in the smithy during the dinner 
hour ; until the men began to drop in, and the num- 
ber so increased, that last Sunday week they applied 
for accommodation for this dinner-hour prayer-meet- 
ing in a neighboring mission house, and, at the gath- 
ering last Friday, sixty-four were present, and the 
presence of God was felt to be with them. No one 
but God knows where the movement in Victoria 
Hall will end. The remark which dropped from the 
lips of one of our leading laymen, at the close of the 
meeting for Christian workers last Sunday week, 
accurately describes the universal feeling of all Chris- 
tian hearts : ' We can never be as we have been/ 

" The meetings on Sunday last were overwhelming. 
Four times Victoria Hall was crowded to its utmost 
capacity, whilst Newsome's Circus and St. James' 
Hall were twice filled. There must have been not 



A LAD TS ACCO UNT. 371 

less than forty-five thousand persons present at the 
various meetings. There were special trains from 
St. Helens and Southport for the accommodation of 
many who desired to attend. The morning meeting 
for Christian workers, although at the early hour of 
eight o'clock, was not only crowded, but large num- 
bers were unable to gain admittance." 

Of Victoria Hall, the following is a lady's account: 
" Victoria Hall is the name given to the wooden 
structure built for Mr. Moody's meetings. It is most 
successful for hearing, and for speedy entrance and 
exit of a crowd. It has twenty doors, and can be 
emptied of the crowds in six or seven minutes in case 
of need. 

" It is as ugly at first sight as can be, but grand in 
the thought that it was built at great cost for tem- 
porary use only, and for the preaching of the Gospel. 
But at night, seen from the raised back seat of the plat- 
form, it looked beautiful and grand; crowded — literally 
packed in every corner ; earnest, listening faces, and 
perfect decorum and order. Then there must have 
been the ten thousand that can get standing-room. 
On the red cloth covering of the front of the galleries 
are the texts, in very large white letters ; ' Be ye re- 



372 BELFAST REPORTED ON. 

conciled to God ; ' ' Ye must be born again ; ' ' Be- 
lieve on the Lord Jesus Christ.' Above the platform 
is, c God is love. 5 " 

Early in March two " all-day meetings " were held 
in Liverpool, from the addresses at which we may 
judge of the work in progress in other places where 
the evangelists had been, as well as in Liverpool. 

Tidings or the Lord's Work from various Parts 
of the Country. 

After the meeting had been opened by Mr. Moody, 
the Rev. Dr. Knox, from Belfast, gave an account 
of the results of the work in that town ; of the Chris- 
tian unity amongst the various denominations, such 
as never existed before; and of the large increase in 
the number of communicants. A hundred had been 
added in one congregation, three hundred in another, 
and ninety-five in another. The work had been speci- 
ally satisfactory amongst the young men, no less than 
ninety of whom had offered themselves for mission- 
ary work. The results have also been very apparent 
in the various factories and houses of business. There 
was scarcely one of these in which conversions were 
not still taking place from week to week. In one 



PRE A CUING IMP BO VED. 373 

place of business no less than forty young women had 
recently been brought to the Lord, and in another 
sixty-seven. He also pointed out the great change 
which had taken place in the character of the preach- 
ing of the ministers of the Gospel. They preached 
the same truths as before, but with a directness and 
spirit of expectation such as previously they had been 
strangers to. 

Rev. Dr. Harrison, of Liverpool, spoke of the 
large number of backsliders who had been reclaimed ; 
and the deep interest taken by the working classes 
in the movement. In the course of his daily visits 
he was continually asked by the poor people whether 
he was attending the services. 

Rev. T. Macpherson, called attention to the Lord's 
quickening all those who professed to be God's peo- 
ple ; the increase of courage on the part of weak and 
timorous Christians, so that they were enabled to 
speak for the Master; the hundreds of letters from 
relatives showing the intensest desire for the conver- 
sion of their friends ; and the extension of the work 
to all ranks and classes of society, many of the poor- 
est of the poor halving evidently been surprised by 
the manifestation of deep interest in their spiritual 



374: MANCHESTER REPORTED ON 

well-being on the part of those in a superior social 
position. In many eases old memories of forgotten 
truths had been revived. On several occasions no less 
than from four hundred to five hundred persons had 
been spoken to in a single night. And the blessings 
had not been confined to this hall, but in their various 
congregations the droppings had been falling fast. 
He further called attention to the consideration that in 
this movement we had had a proof of what we might 
expect God to do when His people were united as one. 
■ Rev. Mr. Robinson, of Manchester, gave some ac- 
count of the results of the work in that city. He had 
been eleven years in Manchester, and had never seen 
anything like the present state of things. Christians 
were bold to speak for Jesus, and large rooms had 
been engaged in various parts of the town, and crowd- 
ed meetings and conversions were still taking place. 
He mentioned that, during Mr. Moody's visit to 
Manchester, three clergymen had come from Pres- 
ton, and had gone back full of a desire to commence 
similar meetings there. He himself had seen some 
four thousand people gathered together in the Corn 
Exchange in that town, and there was a great and 
general quickening of spiritual vitality there. 



B UBLIJST AND EDINB URGH. 375 

Mr. Smithson, of Dublin, gave an account of the 
deputations from the Young Men's Christian Asso- 
ciation in Dublin, which were carrying the fire and 
the heat generated in connection with the work in 
Dublin all. through the country. 

Mr. Smith, of Manchester, stated that, as a result 
of Mr. Moody's visit to that city, the Young Men's 
Society there was in a most flourishing condition. 
Six gentlemen had come forward with princely dona- 
tions, and had placed a sum of no less than thirty- 
three thousand pounds at the disposal of the Society 
for the erection of suitable buildings, while eleven 
thousand pounds more had been collected by others, 
many of whom were ladies. 

Rev. Dr. Bonar spoke of the free breakfasts in 
Edinburgh, of the house-to-house visitation in that 
and other towns, and of the power of prayer as a 
means of gathering in the multitude. " We must 
pray them in, and avoid dull preaching." 

Sunday, March 7th, was Mr. Moody's last day in 
Liverpool. Mr. Sankey had, however, left on the 
previous day for Birmingham. At the Christian 
workers' meeting in the morning, the addresses consist- 
ed entirely of imparting practical advice to Christians 



376 THE LONDON TELEGRAPH. 

as to the studies and duties most adapted for their 
spiritual growth. At eleven o'clock the meeting was 
for anxious inquirers, and the subject of the address 
was " Trust.' 5 The three o'clock meetings were solely 
for women, and not only was Victoria Hall filled but 
also Newsome's Circus and St. James' Hall, whilst 
even then large numbers could not be accommodated. 
The address was from the text, " Come thou and all 
thy house into the Ark," and the appeal at the close 
of the address was one of the most impressive yet de- 
livered. A very large inquirers' meeting was held 
at the conclusion of this service, it being computed 
that nearly four hundred remained. 

It was in view of the facts thus reported, and pa- 
tent, that anticipating the visit to London, the Daily 
Telegraph contained the following language : 

" People in the metropolis will soon judge for 
themselves how far the provinces have been justified 
in their emotion at the revivalists from across the 
Atlantic. It takes a great deal to move Londoners in 
any such manner, and many here will abruptly dis- 
pose of the whole business by the familiar phrase, 
' religious hysteria.' This success, however, appears 
rather too complex, and we may add, socially useful, 



"GO A3TD SEE." 377 



to be explained so easily by the phrases of mad-doc- 
tors, materialists, or cynics. Wherever those people 
come, they seem to effect at once that which arch- 
bishops and rural deans and curates from the Univer- 
sities cannot do : they ' convince people of sin ; ' they 
wake hundreds of thousands of hearts to the considera- 
tion of f righteousness, temperance, and judgment to 
come. 5 Unless, then, we are to call all religious feel- 
ing hysteria and mania ; unless St. Paul preaching 
on Mars' Hill, and Dr. Vaughan in the Temple, are 
equally appealing to the excitable nervous systems of 
automata, we cannot clearly see why the churches 
should be scandalized at the work done by the two 
revivalists. It rather seems to us, that when Moody 
and Sankey come to London, the dignitaries and min- 
isters of all the churches would do well to go and see 
what amazing things real genius and unselfish ardor 
can accomplish, even in the present age. They will 
hear, people say, some ' pieces ' spoken about this life 
and the next, which, delivered with a nasal twang or 
not, go to the souls of people straighter than any ser- 
mon bought in Paternoster Row. They will see — if 
London reproduces what Dublin and Liverpool have 
witnessed — congregations stirred with the ' old story,' 



378 LONDON- ENTERED. 

told newly, as the seas are raised by storm-winds. 
And, notwithstanding all the easy talk about hysteria, 
epidemics, magnetism, nervous systems and the like, 
the philosophers and divines have yet to explain to us 
why it is a bad thing for these Yankee itinerants to 
turn people by the thousand to right and virtuous 
lives, and a good thing when a bishop or a cardinal 
manages to convert half a dozen." 

On the termination of the Liverpool meetings the 
evangelists proceeded to London, and we are obliged 
to content ourselves with some notice of their open- 
ing meetings. It is with satisfaction we notice the 
friends who stood by them at the beginning, now 
that they have been given such a hold on the atten- 
tion of the people that while we write this statement 
(April 19th), the most exalted personages in the land 
are among their hearers. 

The first of the series of noonday meetings at 
Exeter Hall was held on Tuesday, March 9th. Lord 
Radstock w r as in the chair, and there were present 
Lord Cavan, Admiral Fish bourne, Samuel Morley, 
M.P., Revs. Newman Hall, Donald Eraser, etc. The 
meeting was opened with prayer by Lord Radstock. 

Rev. Mr. Chapman, Episcopal clergyman, read 



EXETER HALL. 379 



2 Samuel, chap. v. 22 to the end. He said : " The 
tidings we have heard from Scotland, Ireland, and 
many of our largest towns, also the spirit of expec- 
tation in London, all lead us to inquire — Is it not true 
that the Lord has gone before us % ,? 

Lord Eadstock said — " It will now be open to any 
brother to lead us in prayer. But as our time is 
short, the prayers must be short and very definite. 
Let us ask for a distinct blessing, and look for a dis- 
tinct answer. Do not let the requests be clouded by 
many words. There might be time for ten brethren 
to lead us in prayer in these seventeen remaining 
minutes, if they will only pray to the point. Let us 
pray distinctly, so as to be heard ; but let us remem- 
ber that we are not speaking to the meeting, but 
speaking to God, and that we are responsible for 
what we say. 55 

Five or six gentlemen then engaged in prayer, and 
a hymn having been sung, Lord Eadstock offered up 
an earnest prayer, after which the doxology having 
been sung, the meeting separated. 

The next day Messrs. Moody and Sankey were 
present, as were also the Earl of Cavan, Admiral Fish- 
bourne, Captain Moreton, EJST., E. Paton, Esq., Eev. 



380 THE WATCHWORD. 

Dr. Cuniming, and a number of eminent clergymen 
and ministers. 

The proceedings were opened by singing the hymn, 
" Sweet Hour of Prayer." The requests for prayer 
were then read by Eev. Mr. Chapman, Episcopal 
clergyman of Lock Chapel. 

Mr. Moody then said — " I wish to call attention to 
a verse in the 22d chapter of Jeremiah. This verse 
we have taken as our watchword in every town we 
have visited for the last twenty months, ' There is 
nothing too hard for the Lord. 5 God would have us 
remember, as we come day by day, bringing these 
requests before the Lord, that nothing is too hard for 
Him. Let us lift our eyes to Him, remembering 
that all power is given to Him in heaven and on 
earth. There is nothing too hard for the Lord. He 
can save the greatest drunkard, or the greatest blas- 
phemer, as easily as I can turn my hand. God is 
challenging the Christians of London to call upon 
Him. He delights to do great things. Nothing 
pleases Him so well as for us to ask for great things. 
Let us, then, boldly ask for a mighty blessing on 
London. It is to talk to God that we have met to- 
day ; let us be full of faith in the power of Christ. 



AGRICULTURAL HALL. 381 

"We may learn from the story of the Shunammite 
woman, that we are not to be content with the pres- 
ence of a servant ; we must have the Master him- 
self, i As the Lord liveth, I will not go without thee.' 
His presence must accompany us, if we are to labor 
successfully in His service." 

The first meeting in the Agricultural Hall is thus 
described : 

" For a week past or more the Agricultural Hall 
has been in course of preparation for their visit, and 
it was computed that the arrangements would afford 
accommodation for about fifteen thousand persons. 
By the hour appointed for the commencement of pro- 
ceedings every part of this vast space was densely 
packed, and a crowd outside were knocking at the 
doors and clamoring for admission. 

" It is said that soon after four in the afternoon 
applicants for admission were on the spot with little 
bundles of bread and butter and bottles of cold tea, 
awaiting the commencement of operations at half -past 
seven. "With the opening of the doors at six o'clock 
people passed in by hundreds, and the interior of the 
vast building, with its huge circles of gas-jets, its 
crimson platform, and the throngs flocking into it, 



382 BO WED IN SILENT PBA YEB. 

presented a very pretty and animated scene, the pla- 
cards at the entrance requesting the people to take 
their seats quietly, and not to engage in conversation, 
being very generally overlooked or disregarded. 

" After the evangelists had arrived, Mr. Moody 
called upon the audience to rise and join in singing 
the Old Hundredth Psalm, praising God for what He 
was going to do in London. The grand old tune was 
sung accordingly, and a mighty and impressive vol- 
ume of sound it was. The Rev. E. C. Billings 
offered up a prayer. Another hymn was sung. And 
then Mr. Moody requested the audience to engage in 
silent devotion. A concourse of fourteen or fifteen 
thousand people bowing the head in silence, broken 
only by an occasional cough, and all presumably 
animated by a devotional spirit, is rather a solem- 
nizing spectacle ; and there were, perhaps, few present 
who were incapable of understanding the feelings of 
the man whose voice, when he next spoke, became, 
after a few sentences, broken and tremulous. It was 
only for a moment, however, and he finished his 
prayer in his characteristic tone of energy and earnest- 
ness, and then called on Mr. Sankey for his contribu- 
tion to the service, which it was quite evident was 
awaited with intense eagerness." 



ARRANGEMENTS. 383 

It will be interesting to note the arrangements for 
the accommodation of the vast multitude thus meeting 
daily in the hall. In the body of the hall twelve 
thousand new chairs have been placed, to reinforce 
two thousand already belonging to the establishment, 
in addition to room for two thousand on forms. The 
platform at the west end is arranged in steps, that will 
seat twelve hundred persons. In the center of the 
north side is the platform for the choir organized by 
Mr. Joseph Proudman, of the Tonic Sol-fa Association, 
and for Messrs. Moody and Sankey. The accommo- 
dation here is for two hundred and twenty. The 
eastern platform is fitted with nine hundred seats, and 
in the south gallery are three thousand chairs. The 
addition gives a total of twenty-one thousand three 
hundred and twenty, not including the west and east 
end galleries, each capable of containing six hundred 
more. The lighting of the hall is effected by means 
of large gas chandeliers, hanging from the roof, aided 
by lines of gas-jets along the sides, straight, save at 
the centers, where they rise in three semi-circular 
arches. The acoustic properties of the hall are greatly 
aided by an immense sounding-board over the speak- 
ers' platform. Mr. A. O. Charles, of the Home for 



384: ASPIRATIONS. 



Little Boys, is acting as manager at the hall, assisted 
by a number of stewards, known by their wands. 

The perfect order which is maintained throughout 
the services speaks well for the completeness of the 
organization, and is very helpful both to the comfort 
and success of the meetings. 

There and in other places — as it is deemed desira- 
ble to reach the people — the meetings proceed with 
undiminished interest and power. May the Lord, 
who has been with these brethren hitherto, pour out 
showers of blessings over London ! 



CHAPTEK VIII. 

PRESENT CONDITION OF THE CITIES VISITED. 

In bringing to a close this record of one of the most 
remarkable religious movements of modern times — a 
movement we are thankful to feel not of the past, 
but still in progress — never we hope to be at an end, 
we can readily anticipate the question from our read- 
ers : How is it in those places where the charm of 
Mr. Sankey's singing and the forceful eloquence of 
Mr. Moody are no longer felt? The question is 
natural and reasonable. Ireland is commonly sup- 
posed to have a mercurial and excitable population. 
There, if anywhere the decline of interest might be 
expected to show itself. But it has not. From the 
Witness (issued in Belfast) of February 5, we make 
the following extract. It will be remembered that 
the evangelists had quitted Ireland in the end of No- 
vember. We ought to add further that the places 
reported on, in Belfast, are towns of from five to ten 
thousand inhabitants throughout the province of 
17 



386 PBOVINGE OF ULSTER. 

Ulster, and that they were never visited by the 
evangelists : 

" At the noon prayer-meeting, many very cheering 
reports were given. The Rev. Hugh Hanna, who 
presided, said that on last Sabbath the communion 
was dispensed in his church, when sixty-two came 
forward for the first time. Seven of these were 
policemen. He also told of a warehouse in town 
where fifteen of the young women employed have 
been converted, and are now laboring for the good of 
others. He was glad to see on every side tokens of a 
continuance of God's presence and power. A layman 
described a cottage meeting in which he was inter- 
ested, which had now gone on for four weeks, and 
which was crowded nightly with people who were 
deeply moved, and largely profited by the services. 
The Rev. William Park said he was sure the meeting 
would be glad to hear that the good work was pro- 
gressing in Monaghan. The First Presbyterian 
Church was so crowded at the special meetings there, 
that forms had to be placed in the aisles. Inquiry 
meetings were also held with good results. A 
stranger next spoke of what is being done at Dro- 
mara. Yery large and successful meetings are being 



ORGANIZED EFFORT. 



held here, with sometimes as many as one hundred 
inquirers remaining at the close. In Lisburn, also, 
he said, the good work continues, and has now taken 
a very practical turn — new efforts being made to 
bring in the neglected and instruct them. Mr. Mul- 
lan said that in Portadown they were now in the 
eleventh week of special nightly meetings. The usual 
attendance at these was from three hundred to seven 
hundred, and it was computed that up to the present 
time three hundred persons have been turned from 
the error of their ways since the movement began in 
the town. Special efforts were also being made to 
bring in the neglected. The town is now divided 
into thirty-three districts for the purposes of visita- 
tion, and this work is being regularly and systemati- 
cally prosecuted. Rev. E. C. Johnston said he had 
recently been in Gilford, and he was glad to say the 
good work had commenced there. A " mission " had 
recently been held in the Episcopal church with grati- 
fying results — sometimes one hundred inquirers 
remaining at the close of a meeting. 

" During the past fortnight seven special evangelistic 
services have been held in the Presbyterian church, 
Greyabbey. The attendance ranged from three hun- 



388 ABMAGH. 



dred to four hundred and upwards each evening, and 
included a large number of non-churchgoers in work- 
ing dress. The Rev. Robert Jeffrey was generously 
assisted by the Rev. Oliver Goldsmith, incumbent of 
Greyabbey; Rev. S.Hawthorne, Rev. J. K. Elliott, 
Rev. M. Macaulay, and Mr. Jones, of Belfast. 

" The work of grace in the old primatial city of 
Armagh* has attained to dimensions that are indeed 
marvelous. The meetings commenced with the New 
Year, but during the first week they were separate — 
one meeting being held in the Lecture-room con- 
nected with the First Presbyterian church, and 
another in the Methodist church. In the second 
week of January the union meetings commenced, and 
though the meetings have continued every night dur- 
ing the whole of January, and throughout the present 
week of February, there is no flagging of interest. 
On last Saturday night, it was computed that there 
were nearly one thousand people in the Presby- 
terian church, and nearly two hundred anxious 
souls in the Methodist church, afterwards inquiring 

* One of the editors of this volume having been for nearly six 
years pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Armagh, he 
makes this extract with no common gratitude to God. 



C00K8T0WJST. 389 



the way of salvation. It would be presumptuous to 
attempt to make an accurate census of the souls that 
have been brought to Christ through the power of the 
Word and Spirit of God ; but keeping within the lim- 
its of sober calculation, it may be affirmed that there 
are over one hundred souls that have been changed 
from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan 
to God. A most intelligent person, who knows the 
city well, said to the writer of this brief report to-day 
— " The ministers don't know anything like the ex- 
tent of this movement, or how many are seeking the 
way of peace, and how many in this city have found 
Christ to be precious." 

"The united evangelistic services that were com- 
menced in Cookstown, on the first week in January, 
have been continued with increased interest and atten- 
tion up to the present time. Latterly, a large num- 
ber of Christian laymen, of different denominations, 
have cordially united with the ministers in giving 
short addresses, and leading in devotional exercises. 
A large, influential meeting of Christian workers was 
held, when it was resolved to visit the town, distribute 
tracts, and invite all to the meetings. This plan has 
been followed with marked success in bringing out 
many who attend no place of worship." 



390 DUBLIN. 



From Dublin, at the same date (February 5), it is 
reported : 

" Our daily prayer-meeting has been carried on as 
usual. The encouraging signs about it, which I men- 
tioned last week, have been still more marked since 
then. And while none of the spirit of heartiness has 
departed, the numbers attending are steadily increas- 
ing. It is evident that the hour of prayer is a time 
of much enjoyment to many, and we may reasonably 
hope of profit. 

" The accounts given in on Monday of the progress 
of the Lord's work during the previous week were 
, truly cheering and encouraging. One minister said 
that Sabbath evening last was the most blessed season 
he had had in his congregation since he came to 
Dublin. Another said that in his church between 
three and four hundred people waited till half-past 10 
o'clock in the inquiry-meeting, which was held after 
the evening service, and they had had most delightful 
tokens of God's presence. Another minister said that 
in one of the Sabbath-schools connected with his con- 
gregation, attended by about one hundred scholars, 
sixty of the pupils have lately professed to have found 
their Saviour. And many of these are very rough 



ABO UND D UBL1N. 391 

and wild boys and girls. A gentleman present said 
he had been invited by the principal of one of the 
large educational establishments in the city to visit 
her school. He went, and he found that out of sev- 
enty young ladies twenty-five have professedly, within 
the last three months, given themselves to God. 

" The reports of the work going on in the suburbs 
of Dublin, and also in more distant parts of the 
county, were equally encouraging. At the little 
village of Lucan, in the neighborhood of the city, 
where united evangelistic services have been held 
nightly for the last fortnight, the most blessed in- 
dications of the Spirit are seen. The meeting on 
Sabbath night was the most crowded of anv. though 
it was not known till a short time before the service 
that any meeting was to be held that night. ISTot a 
night has passed since the meetings began there in 
which souls have not been born again. There, as in 
other places, the fields are white to the harvest, and 
the people in the neighborhood are very sorry that 
the services cannot be continued. 

" Yery interesting accounts also were given of the 
progress of the work in other parts of our land. In 
the County Wicklow many are being brought to God 



392 THE WEST OF IRELAND. 

from week to week, while in more remote districts 
many others are being awakened and converted. In 
Galway the Protestant community is moved to the 
very center, and some of a different persuasion have 
been brought to read the Book of Life. In another 
western town the effect among our fellow country- 
men, who in matters of faith do not see with us, has 
been so great that their spiritual directors, alarmed, 
sent for the Redemptorist Fathers to counteract the 
movement. Special reports from these and other 
places were read by the Rev. Mr. Mullan from 
Plain Words for this month. A very striking 
incident was related by a gentleman of a town 
with which he was acquainted. A committee there 
having charge of the prayer- meeting and united 
services, etc., had engaged the court-house to hold 
their meetings in, but a party of play-actors came and 
secured the house for themselves by paying more 
money. Their speculation, however, was not suc- 
cessful, for while the prayer and other meetings were 
thronged with thousands, the audience who patron- 
ized the play on the first evening numbered six per- 
sons, and on the second evening two ! " 

If it be asked how., after a year's experience, is the 



ANNIVERSARY IN GLASGO W. 393 

work now regarded in Scotland, the following para- 
graph affords the reply : 

" Monday being the anniversary of the commence- 
ment of Messrs. Moody and Sankey's labors in Glas- 
gow, an all-day meeting was held in Ewing Place 
Church. The meeting was in every respect success- 
ful, the church being crowded from the beginning to 
the close of the proceedings. The subject for the first 
hour — from twelve to one — was introduced by Dr. 
A. Thompson, of Edinburgh, who delivered an ap- 
propriate address on i Prayer ; ' various other gentle- 
men also took part. Dr. A. Bonar took the chair from 
one to two, and opened up the subject of ' Praise,' 
which was afterwards spoken of in an interesting 
and instructive manner by several ministers and lay- 
men present. In taking up the subject for the third 
hour, namely : i What more can be done for the 
lapsed masses?' the Rev. ¥m. Arnot presided. At 
the close it was unanimously resolved to send a tele- 
gram to Messrs. Moody and Sankey, expressive of 
gratitude for the work they did while in Glasgow, 
and assuring them of continued and prayerful inter- 
est in their welfare. In the evening a fellowship 
meeting was held, when the church was again 
crowded." 



CHAPTER IX. 

THE TRUTHS TAUGHT. 

What does Mr. Moody preach ? This is a natural 
question. We shall furnish an answer by allowing 
him to speak for himself, and giving specimens of his 
addresses on practical topics, as reported with care 
and fidelity in such organs as The British Evangel- 
ist, Times of Blessing, etc. 

The Qualifications for Soul- Winning.* 
Dan. xii. 3. 
If we would be soul-winners, we must — 

1. Shake off the vipers that are in the Church, for- 
malism, pride, and self-importance, etc. 

2. It is the only happy life to live for the salvation 
of souls. 

3. We must be willing to do little things for Christ. 

4. Must be of good courage. 

5. Must be cheerful. 

God had no children too weak, but a great many 

1 * Delivered in Rev. Dr. Bonar's church, Edinburgh, 7th De- 
cember, 1873. 



GOB'S INSTR UMENTS. 395 

too strong to make use of. God, he continued, stands 
in no need of our strength or wisdom, but of our 
ignorance, of our weakness ; let us but give these to 
Him, and He can make use of us in winning souls. 

]STow we all want to shine ; the mother wishes it 
for her boy, when she sends him to school, the father 
for his lad, when he goes off to college ; and here 
God tells us who are to shine — not statesmen, or war- 
riors, or such like, that shine but for a season — but 
such as will shine for ever and ever ; those, namely, 
who win souls to Christ ; the little boy even who 
persuades one to come to Christ. 

Speaking of this, Paul counts up five things that 
God makes use of — the weak things, the foolish 
things, the base things, the despised things, and the 
things which are not, and for this purpose, that no 
flesh might glory in his sight — all five being just such 
as we should despise. He can and will use us, just 
when we are willing to be humble for Christ's sake, 
and so for six thousand years God has been teaching 
men ; so with an ass's jawbone Samson slew his thou- 
sands, so at the blowing of rams' horns the walls of 
Jericho fell. Let God work in His own way, and 
with His own instruments; let us all rejoice that He 



396 VIPERS SHAKEN OFF. 

should, and let us too get into the position in which 
God can use us. 

There is much mourning to-day over false " isms," 
infidelity, and the like, but sum them all up, and I 
do not fear them one half so much as that dead and 
cold formalism that has crept into the Church of God. 
The unbelieving world, and these skeptics holding 
out their false lights, are watching you and me : 
when Jacob put away his idols, he could go up to 
Bethel and get strength and the blessing — so will it 
be with the Church of God. A viper fixes upon the 
hand of the shipwrecked Paul; immediately he is 
judged by the barbarians some criminal unfit to live ; 
but he shakes it off into the fire, and suffers no harm, 
and now they are ready to worship him, and ready 
too to hear and receive his message : the Church of 
God must shake off the vipers that have fastened on 
hand and heart too, ere men will hear. Where one 
ungodly man reads this Bible, a hundred read you 
and me : and if they find nothing in us, they set the 
whole thing aside as a myth. 

Again, a man who has found out what his true 
work is, winning souls to Christ, and does it, such is 
the happiest man. Not the richest are this — least of 



TJNLIKEL Y AGENTS. 397 

all those who have just got converted for themselves, 
and into the Church — lost what pleasure the world 
could give, and found none other. Job's captivity 
turned away when he began praying for his friends ; 
and so will all who thus work for others shine not in 
heaven alone and hereafter, but here as well, and now. 
But you say " I haven't got the ability." TTell, 
God doesn't call you to do Dr. Bonar's work, or Dr. 
Duff's work, else He had given you their ability, their 
talent. The word is, " To every man his work." I 
have a work to do, laid out for me in the secret coun- 
sels of eternity ; no other can do it. If I neglect it, 
it is not true that some other will do it ; it will re- 
main undone. And if, for the work laid upon us, 
we feel we have not the ability or talent necessary, 
then we have a throne of grace ; and God never sends, 
unless that He is willing to give the strength and 
wisdom. The instruments He often uses may seem 
all unlikely, yet when did they fail? — when once? 
and why not ? Because He had fitted them out as 
well. He sent Moses to Egypt to deliver His people 
— not an eloquent, but a stuttering man. He refuses a 
while, at last he went ; and no man once sent by God 
ever did break down. So was Elisha a most unlikely 



398 "B UT FIVE LITTLE BO YS." 

man to be a successor to the great prophet Elijah. 
Men would have chosen some famous man, some pro- 
fessor in the school of the prophets. God took one 
from the plough ; but He gave him what was needed. 
Elisha had but to keep by his master to the end ; and 
he received even a double portion of the Spirit. And 
if we want to get it, we too must keep by the Lord, 
nor ever lose sight of Him, should He, as Elijah 
Elisha, in one way or another try our faith. 

And further, we must be ready to do little things 
for God ; many are willing to do the great things. 
I dare say hundreds would have been ready to occupy 
this pulpit to-day. How many of them would be 
as willing to teach a dirty class in the ragged school ? 

I remember, one afternoon I was preaching, observ- 
ing a young lady from the house I was staying at, in 
the audience. I had heard she taught in the Sabbath- 
school, which I knew was at the same hour ; and so I. 
asked her, after service, how she came to be there ? 
" Oh," said she, " my class is but five little boys, 
and I thought it did not matter for them." And yet 
among these there might have been, who knows, a 
Luther or a Knox, the beginning of a stream of bless- 
ing, that would have gone on widening and ever 



AMONG THE ANGELS. 399 

widening ; and besides, one soul is worth all the king- 
doms of the earth. 

Away in America, a young lady was sent to a board- 
ing-school, and was there led to Christ ; not only so, 
but taught that she ought to work for Him, By- 
and-by she goes home, and now she seeks, in one way 
and another, to work for Him, but without finding 
how. She asks for a class in her church Sunday- 
school, but the superintendent is obliged to tell her 
that he has already more than enough of teachers. 
One day, going along the street, she sees a little boy 
struck by his companion, and crying bitterly. She 
goes up and speaks to him ; asks him what the trouble 
is ? The boy thinks she is mocking him, and replies 
sullenly. She speaks kindly, tries to persuade him 
to school. He does not want to learn. She coaxes 
him to come and hear her and the rest singing there ; 
and so next Sunday he comes with her. She gets a 
corner in the school of well-dressed scholars for her- 
self and her charge. He sits and listens, full of won- 
der. On going home, he tells his mother he has 
been among the angels. At first at a loss, she be- 
comes angry, when a question or two brings out that 
he has been to a Protestant Sunday-school ; and the 



400 » GOING TO HE A VEN." 

father, on coming home, forbids his going back, on 
pain of flogging. Next Sunday, however, he goes, 
and is flogged, and so again, and yet again, till one 
Sunday, he begs to be flogged before going, that he 
may not be kept thinking of it all the time. The father 
relents a little, and promises him a holiday every Sat- 
urday afternoon, if he will not go to Sunday-school. 
The lad agrees, sees his teacher, who offers to teach 
him then. How many wealthy young folks would 
give up their Saturdays to train one poor ragged 
urchin in the way of salvation ? Some time after, at 
his work, the lad is on one of the railway cars. The 
train starts suddenly; he slips through, and the wheels 
pass over his legs ; he asks the doctor if he will live 
to get home; it is impossible. "Then," says he, 
" tell father and mother that I am going to heaven, 
and want to meet them there." Will the work she 
did seem little now to the young lady ? Or is it 
nothing that even one thus grateful waits her yonder? 
Another thing we want is, to be of good courage. 
Three or f our times this comes out in the first chapter 
of Joshua ; and I have observed that God never uses 
a man that is always looking on the dark side of things : 
what we do for Him let us do cheerfully, not because 



A FAMILY WON. 401 



it is our duty — not that we should sweep away the 
word but because it is our privilege. "What would 
my wife or children say if I spoke of loving them 
because it was my duty to do so ? And my mother 
— if I go to see her once a year, and were to say — 
u Mother, I am come all this way to discharge what I 
feel to be my duty in visiting you ; " might she not 
rightly reply — " My son, if this is all that has brought 
you, you might have spared coming at all ! " and go 
down in broken-hearted sorrow to the grave ? 

A London minister, a friend of mine, lately pointed 
out a family of seven, all of whom he was just receiv- 
ing into the Church. Their story was this : going to 
church, he had to pass by a window, looking up at 
which one day, he saw a baby looking out ; he smiled 
— the baby smiled again. Next time he passes he 
looks up again, smiles, and the baby smiles back. A 
third time going by, he looks up, and seeing the baby, 
throws it a kiss — which the baby returns to him. 
Time after time he has to pass the window, and now 
cannot refrain from looking up each time : and each 
time there are more faces to receive his smiling 
greeting; till by-and-by he sees the whole family 
grouped at the window — father, mother, and all. 



402 ALL BY A SMILE. 

The father conjectures the happy, smiling stranger 
must be a minister, and so, next Sunday morning, 
after they have received at the window the usual greet- 
ing, two of the children, ready dressed, are sent out to 
follow him : they enter his church, hear him preach, 
and carry back to their parents the report that they 
never heard such preaching ; and what preaching could 
equal that of one who had so smiled on them ? 
Soon the rest come to the church too, and are brought 
in — all by a smile. Let us not go about, hanging our 
heads like a bulrush ; if Christ gives joy, let us live it ! 
The whole world is in all matters for the very best 
thing — you always want to get the best possible thing 
for your money ; let us show, then, that our religion 
is the very best thing: men with long, gloomy faces 
are never wise in the winning of souls. 

I was preaching in Jacksonville, and, at the house 
in which I stayed, my attention was attracted by a 
little boy, who bore a different name from the house- 
hold, and yet was in all things and in all respects 
treated as one of themselves ; to the other children 
he was " brother," and they were " brothers " and 
" sisters" to him, and with them he came up to the 
mother for the same good-night kiss. By-and-by I 



ALL FOB CHRIST. 403 

asked the lady of the house who it was. She told me 
the father of the boy was a missionary out in India ; 
some years before, father and mother had come home 
with their five children to have them educated. After 
being home a short time, the father resolved to 
return to India, wishing to leave the mother with the 
children till their education should be finished. She 
wanted to go back with him ; he opposed to it, saying 
it was hard enough for him to leave them, for her it 
must be impossible. Still she wished to go, — she had 
received and been some blessing in India, — and she 
would give up even all for Christ. Ultimately it was 
arranged that the children should be received into 
various families, — treated as part of them, — and that 
father and mother together should return. So with 
the boy the mother came to this friend's and stayed a 
few days along with him. The night before she had 
to leave, sitting with the lady of the house, she told 
her how anxious she was that her boy should receive 
the impression that his mother had for Christ's sake 
cheerfully left him behind, and that for this end she 
wished to leave him without a tear at parting. The 
struggle this would cost the lady well knew, especially 
as the boy was of a peculiarly amiable disposition. 



404 THE LORD'S WORKERS. 

]SText morning, passing the door of the mother's room, 
the lady overheard a. sobbing, struggling prayer for 
strength to do what was on her heart to do. In a 
short time the mother came down with smiling, 
cheerful face ; and looking so, she took leave of her 
boy, to go by rail some miles further on to bid a like 
farewell to another of her family. She went with 
her husband to India. A short year after, a still, 
quiet voice came to her, to come up to meet her 
Saviour. And would not a welcome await her there, 
who had so loved Him here, and so cheerfully served 
Him? 

They that be wise shall shine, etc. The Lord help 
us as humbly, devoutly, and cheerfully to abound in 
His work ! 

The Lord's "Workers.* 

What men want in doing the Lord's work is (1) 
Courage, (2) Enthusiasm, (3) Perseverance, (4) Sym- 
pathy. 

The man who is afraid, who holds down his head 
like a bulrush, is not the worker whom God will 

* Delivered to young men in Edinburgh, 14th Dec, 1873. 



COURAGE. 405 



bless ; but God gives courage to him whom He means to 
use. I have been all along with young men, and a 
great portion of my work these fifteen years has been 
among them, and I find that they generally fail for 
want of courage. There is any quantity of young 
men in Edinburgh just now whose lives are a blank 
to them, and who have not discovered that God sends 
us to do work for Him. He can qualify them for 
that work. John Wesley said, " Give me thirty men 
of faith, and I shall storm the citadel of Satan and 
win it for Christ ; " and he did it too. Talk of Alex- 
ander being a great conqueror, he was nothing com- 
pared with that little man, Saul of Tarsus. Once I 
had been fishing long, and caught nothing, and I 
almost got discouraged. My Sabbath services were 
barren one day, and I was greatly disheartened. My 
heart was down, and my head was down. In came a 
brother. "How does the work goon with you?" 
I asked of a fellow-worker. " Splendidly," he said. 
" Great blessing on Sabbath." I told him my state 
of mind. He said, " Did you ever study the life and 
character of Xoah ? " " Yes ; I know it by heart." 
" Well," said he, " study it again." And I did so, and 
I found in him wonderful courage. For one hundred 



406 ENTHUSIASM. 



and twenty years that the ark was building, he la- 
bored to get men to believe in God's righteousness. 
He did not get one, and I said, " What have I to be 
discouraged about after that ? " So I went down to 
the prayer-meeting, and a man behind me clasped me 
by the hand, and said, " Pray for me, for I am in 
great trouble." And I thought what would Noah 
have given for encouragement like that ! And a 
man rose up, and told that a hundred young men 
had just come to Christ in a neighboring town. 
What would old ]N~oah have said to that ? One hun- 
dred and twenty y-ears, and no fruit at all ; and yet 
he had courage to go on preaching ! All at once the 
clouds w r ere all gone from my mind. If you get dis- 
couraged, keep it to yourself; don't tell any one about 
it ; for you will just discourage others if you do. 
Be strong and very courageous if you would do any- 
thing for God. 

2. Enthusiasm. — We need more enthusiasm. The 
more we have the better. I have a great admiration 
for Garibaldi, though I cannot, of course, approve of 
all his acts. When put in prison he said, " It were 
better that fifty Garibaldis should perish, than that 
Rome should not be free." This was the cause get- 



COMPLETE DEVOTION. 407 

ting above the man ; that is what we want. We 
want to forget ourselves. There are one hundred 
thousand men waiting now to be brought to Christ, 
to be invited to come to Him, and shall we hang 
back? Let us have enthusiasm. This formalism 
that abounds at the present day, is the worst ism of 
all — it is worse than all the infidelity and skepticism 
of the land. I remember reading in some history of 
the ninth century of a young general who with only 
five hundred men came up against a king with twenty 
thousand. And the king sent to him to say that it 
was the height of folly to resist with his handful of 
men. The general called in one of his men, and said, 
u Take that sword and drive it to your heart." And 
the man took the weapon, and drove it to his heart, 
and fell dead. He said to another, " Leap into yon- 
der chasm, 57 and the man instantly obeyed. Then, 
turning to the messenger, he said, " Go back and tell 
your king that we have five hundred such men. We 
will die but we will never surrender." The messen- 
ger returned, and his tale struck terror into the hearts 
of the king's soldiers, so that they fled like chaff be- 
fore the wind. God says, " One shall chase a thou- 
sand, and two put ten thousand to flight." Let us 



408 A FRIEND OF CHRIST 8. 

have confidence in God. When men are in earnest 
they carry everything before them. The world don't 
read the Bible, but they read you and me. 

3. Perseverance. — The men who have been suc- 
cessful are not those who work bv fits and starts, but 
three hundred and sixty-five days in the year. By 
the grace of God, these eighteen years I have been 
kept working for God. People complain how cold 
other people are : that is a sign that they are cold 
themselves. Keep your own heart warm, as if there 
were no other but you in the world. Keep working 
all the time at steady, constant work. For the last 
eleven years I have not let a day pass without saying 
something to somebody of Christ. Make it a rule 
that never a day pass without speaking for Christ. 
People won't like it. If you are a living witness for 
Christ it makes people mad against you. You will 
suffer persecution, and be spoken against, and yet 
they will send for such a man first when they are in 
trouble or on their death-bed. The man that is popu- 
lar with the world is not a friend of Jesus. You 
cannot serve two masters. The world hates Christ, 
and if you are a friend of the world you cannot be 
a friend of His. You may be sure that something 



PERSEVERANCE. 409 

is wrong with you when everybody is your friend. 
Every man here can win souls for Christ. . 

The public-houses in America are called " saloons." 
There is a hall with a bar, and behind, a dining-room, 
and above, sleeping-apartments, and in these saloons 
the young men congregate at night, and drink and 
gamble. There was a terribly wicked man who kept 
a saloon, whose children I was very anxious to draw 
to my Sabbath-school. So one day I called on this 
man and said, "Air. Bell, I want you to let your 
children come to the Sabbath-school." He was ter- 
ribly angry, said he did not believe in the Bible, 
school or anything else, and ordered me to leave the 
house. 

Soon after I went down again and called on this 
man, and asked him to go to church, and again he 
was very angry. He said that he had not been at 
church for nineteen years, and would never go again, 
and he would rather see his boy a drunkard and his 
daughter a harlot than that they should attend the Sab- 
bath-school. A second time I was forced to leave the 
house. 

Two or three days after I called again, and he said, 

" Well, I guess you are a pretty good-natured sort of 
18 



410 PREACHING IN A SALOON 



man, and different from the rest of Christians, or you 
would not come back ; " so seeing him in a good humor, 
I asked him what he had to say against Christ, and if 
he had read His life : and he asked me what 1 had to 
say against Paine' s " Age of Season," and if I had 
read it. I said I had not read it : whereupon he said 
he would read the New Testament, if I would read 
the "Age of Beason," to which I at once agreed, 
though he had the best bargain : and I did so. I 
did not like it much, and would not advise any per- 
son to read it. I asked Mr. Bell to come to church, 
but he said they were all hypocrites that went to 
church. This he would do, however : I might come 
to his house if I liked, and preach. " Here, in this 
saloon ? " " Yes ! but look here, you are not to do 
all the talking ; " he said that he and his friends 
would have their say as well as I. I agreed that 
they might have the first forty-five minutes, and I 
the last fifteen of the hour, which he thought fair, 
and that was settled. The day came, and I went to 
keep my appointment, but I never in all my life met 
such a crowd as when on the day appointed I went 
to that saloon — such, a collection of infidels, deists, and 
reprobates of all kinds I never saw before. Their 



A CHILD'S PRAYER. 411 

oaths and language were horrible. Some of them 
seemed as if they had come on leave of absence from 
the pit. I never was so near hell before. They be- 
gan to talk in the most blasphemous way ; some 
thought one thing, some another; some believed there 
was a God — others not ; some thought there was such 
a man as Jesus Christ — others that there never was ; 
some didn't believe anything. They couldn't agree, 
contradicted each other, and very nearly came to 
fighting with one another before their time had ex- 
pired. 

I had brought down a little boy, an orphan with me, 
and when I saw and heard such blasphemy I thought 
I had done wrong to bring him there. When their 
time was up, I said that we Christians always began 
service with prayer to God. " Hold," said they ; 
" two must be agreed first." " Well, here are two of 
us." And so I prayed, and then the little boy did so, 
and I never heard a prayer like that in all my life. 
It seemed as if God was speaking through that little 
boy. With tears running down his cheeks he be- 
sought God, for Christ's sake, to take pity on all 
these poor men ; and that went to their very hearts. 
I heard sobs throughout the hall, and one infidel 



412 " THIS ONE THING." 

went out at this door and another at that ; and Mr. 
Bell came up to me and said, " You can have my 
children, Mr. Moody." And the best friend that I 
have in Chicago to-day is that same Joshua Bell, and 
his son has come out for Christ and as a worker for 
Him. 

There was a family which for fourteen years I 
had tried to draw to Christ, but they would not come, 
and I had almost given them up as hopeless. "We 
have a custom on New Tear's Day in America of 
calling on our friends and acquaintances, and wishing 
them the compliments of the season. Last New 
Year's Day I thought I should call on the old doctor, 
which I did, and I offered up just a short prayer. 
That week he and his wife came to Christ, and next 
week his son, and a few days after his daughter, and 
now the whole family are converted. 

" This one thing 1 do" said Paul. He had re- 
ceived thirty-nine stripes, and if he had other thirty- 
nine stripes to receive, " This one thing I do j " for- 
getting the things that " are behind, I press towards 
the mark." A terrible man he was — this man of one 
thing and one aim, and determined to go on doing it. 
*' To every man his work" (Mark xiii. 34). If bless- 



THE STBANGEBS. 413 

ing don't come this week, it will come the next, only 
persevere. Be of good courage, Christ will strengthen 
your heart. 

4. Sympathy to touch the hearts of men is needed 
too. Some men have courage, perseverance, and 
zeal, but their hearts are as cold as an icicle. Christ 
might have been born in a palace had He chosen, bat 
poor men would have said He had not come for them ; 
but He was born in a manger, lower than their own 
rank of life. The minister who speaks to people as 
if he were separate from them, that tells them what 
they should do, this and that, will not carry them 
with him. To speak to men from a higher platform 
is not the way to do them good. It should be what 
we do, — we poor sinners, and you. The milk of 
human kindness is a great element in bringing souls 
to Christ. 

We have, in Chicago, a meeting for strangers ; and 
it is most blessed. Every Monday night, seventy-five 
to a hundred young men newly arrived in the city, 
assemble to find friends. A young man coming from 
the country to a situation, or to college in town, feels 
very lonely. He walks the street, and has no one, of 
all the crowds, to speak to him, and he is miserable. 



414 jjy NEED OF A FRIEND. 

That is the time when his heart is softest ; then, if 
any one speaks to him or shows him acts of kind- 
ness, he never forgets it. The devil watches for 
friendless youths like those ; and the ensnaring paths 
of vice seem refuges from loneliness. Such a young 
man, walking along the street, sees a big brown paper 
pasted on a boarding, or at a railway station, or some- 
where else, having painted on it, " Strangers' Meet- 
ing to-night. All strangers invited to attend." So 
he goes, and meets a kind look and words of friend- 
ship, and it is better to him than anything in the 
world. 

During our war, there was a Southern man who 
came over to a Wisconsin regiment, saying he could 
not fight to uphold slavery. Some time after, the 
mail from the north came in, and all the men got 
letters from their relations, and universal joy pre- 
vailed. This Southern man said he wished he were 
dead ; he was most unhappy, for there were no let- 
ters for him. His mother was dead, and his father 
and brothers would have shot him if they could, for 
going against them. This man's tent-mate was very 
sorry for his friend, and when he wrote to his mother 
in Wisconsin, he just told her all about it. His 



PO WEE OF LO VE. 415 

mother sat down and wrote to her son's friend. She 
called him her son, and spoke to him like a mother. 
She told him, when the war was over that he must 
come to her, and that her home would be his. When 
the letter reached the regiment, the chaplain took it 
down to where this man was standing, and told him 
it was for him ; but he said it was a mistake, that no- 
body would, write to him ; he had no friends, it must 
be for some one else. He was persuaded to open it, 
and when he read it, he felt such joy. He went 
down the lines, saying, " I've got a mother ! " When 
afterwards the regiment was disbanded, and the men 
were returning to their homes, there was none who 
showed so much anxiety as this man to get to his 
mother in Wisconsin. 

There are hundreds of young men who want 
mothers, and any kindness done to them will not 
lose its reward.* 

* The intensity of the feeling under the burning words of Mr. 
Moody may be judged of from the effect being such that, at the 
close, there was a great burst of applause with hands and feet 
just commencing, when Mr. Moody checked it, by quietly lifting 
his hand and saying, " We don't want applause : and mind, it's 
Sunday/ " 



416 THE BLOOD. 



The Blood.* 

" Some inquirers come to me over and over again, 
and never seem to get on, but go round and round 
like a horse in a mill. They don't rest where God 
rests — in the blood of Christ. Blood runs throughout 
the whole Bible. Turn with me to Gen. iii. 21. ISTo 
sooner had Adam fallen, and death entered, than God 
interposed, and made coats of skins and clothed them. 
God then must have been the first to shed blood ; 
God covered sin ; God dealt in love with Adam, in 
justice with Christ, when the blood of those victims 
slain came between Adam and his sin. Turn again 
to Gen. iv. 4. Abel brought blood. Cain's offering 
was more beautiful — the fruit of the ground. You 
may say- blood is repulsive, hateful; some women 
faint at the sight of blood, but by blood was the way 
God marked out for coming to Him, from the very 
first, and Abel came by that way, and was accepted. 
Any religion that is not founded on 'the blood? 
comes from the pit of hell. There is no other foun- 
dation, any other is not God's way. The world is 

* Delivered in the Free Church Assembly Hall, Edinburgh, 
9th December, 1873. 



THE PAS80 VEB. 417 



full of Cainites. All who think they do not need the 
blood of Christ are Cainites. 

" Gen. viii. 20, 21. Sixteen hundred years passed 
away. God saved Noah by the ark, and when he left 
it he offered the Hood of every clean beast and fowl 
on the altar. The second dispensation was founded 
on blood ; it came between Noah and his sin. The 
world was set up afresh under Noah, but it began 
from the blood. 

" Gen. xxii. 13. Abraham saw Christ's day, and 
was glad. God opened his eyes probably on that very 
Mount Moriah, after the sacrifice of the ram was 
over ; and he saw down the stream of time the great 
Atonement, likely the identical spot, for Mount Cal- 
vary was near Mount Moriah, where Christ was to be 
offered. God so loved Abraham that He spared him 
his son ; but He so loved you that He gave His for 
you. John said, ' Behold the Lamb of God that tak- 
eth away the sin of the world.' Abraham was glad 
when he saw the substitutionary offering of Christ. 
All went in all ages to heaven by the royal highway 
of the blood. 

" Exodus xii. 13. ' When I see the blood I will 
pass over you.' He does not say, When I see the 



418 LIVING TO CHRIST, 

-live lamb tied up to the door-post, I will pass over 
you. No more does He say, When I see the living 
Christ in all His moral glory and loveliness, scatter- 
ing blessings all around His path, I will pass over 
you ; but when I see the blood, i for without shedding 
of blood is no remission.' Sinner, Christ has shed 
His blood for you. You will have peace looking to 
His blood ; you will be safe there, or you will be ex- 
posed to the wrath of God without it. When you go 
to the station, and take a ticket for London, and seat 
yourself in the train, the guard will come to look at 
your ticket ; and it matters not to him- whether you 
are black or white, rich or poor, so long as you have 
got a ticket. He looks at that, not you. The blood 
is God's ticket. God says, Have you got your ticket 
or ' token V If you are behind the blood, you are as 
safe as on the golden pavement of heaven. A little 
sparrow was as safe in the ark as the great elephant. 
If you are behind the blood you are safe, though you 
die to-night. 

" Exodus xii. 11. They were to eat the lamb, as 
well as be sheltered by its blood. Tou should not be 
satisfied with being safe. You should eat the lamb. 
God's elect fed on the lamb. The more you feed on 



THE CRIMSOM THREAD. 419 

Him the stronger you will become. Feed on His 
Word ; feed on Himself. 

" Exodus xii. 2. ' This shall be the beginning of 
months to you.' Everything dates from the blood ; 
1873 counts back to Calvary, and begins from the 
blood. Even infidels date from the blood. Israel's 
story, for four hundred years of slavery, is wiped out. 
You may say you are seventy-five years old, but you 
didn't live till you came to Christ. I was born twice, 
once in '37; once again in '55 ; so I am only eighteen 
years old. Some there are here also, who are only 
twenty-four hours old to-night. 

" Exodus xxix. 16. I was brought up to think that 
there was no need for the blood of Jesus, and when 
I knew better I went back to my native town and 
preached on the atonement, and after I was finished 
the minister of the place was very angry, and said to 
me that there was no more efficacy in the blood of 
Jesus Christ than in that of a chicken. That is Uni- 
tarianism. That doctrine is damnable. If, in prayer, 
you don't come to God through the Lord Jesus Christ, 
you may as well talk to a post. Call it prayer ! It 
ain't. If you cut the crimson thread that binds the 
Bible, it falls to pieces. 



420 ANGEL'S FOOD. 



"Exodus xxx. 10. The sacrifice of atonement was 
kept up year after year till Christ came. The work 
was never done. The priest in Israel never sat down. 
Christ was offered once, and His sacrifice was forever, 
thank God. Adam and Eve were in God's favor, but 
the devil tripped them up, and the precious blood of 
Jesus reconciles us to God. We are 'justified by Sis 
Hood? 

" Lev. viii. 23. The ear sheltered behind the blood 
heard the voice of God, and the hand behind the 
blood did what was pleasing to God. The unre- 
deemed may give money and build churches, think- 
ing that they will please God, but it is a delusion. 
Till they get behind the blood their offerings are an 
abomination to God. Blood upon the great toe de- 
noted walking with God. God often visited men, as 
Adam and Abraham and others, but He never dwelt 
and walked with His people till blood was shed and 
redemption accomplished, and then the Red Sea fled 
as He walked with them ; angels' food came to them ; 
the rock burst with water which followed them. No 
man could resist them when God walked with them. 
And we will always be in trouble about government 
till Christ comes back again to reign, and then men 



MERCY AND TRUTH. 121 

will have a government that will suit them. He will 
be back again one day and set up His kingdom, but 
it will be founded on the blood. Tour life hangs on 
this word. Wake up ; for you'll never get to heaven 
unless you are floated thither on the crimson tide of 
Christ's precious blood. 

' ; Lev. xvii. 11-14. Some people say they hate this 
subject of blood. I hated it once. I would have 
walked out of such a meeting if so much had been 
said about it as is now said. I used to say that a God 
who demanded blood is a tyrant. But God could not 
save without it. This is three times repeated. Why ? 
God is very merciful, but He is just too. If the 
queen was so kind-hearted as not to punish any one, 
and insisted on pardoning every murderer, and set- 
ting free every prisoner, she would not be queen 
twenty-four hours. Every woman here would rise 
up and demand that she should not be queen. If you 
get God's mercy you get His justice too : they go 
together. He rides in a chariot with two wheels 
rolling side by side — justice and mercy. God said to 
Adam, * On the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt 
surely die.' Adam sinned and he died. Jesus was 
man's substitute, and He died for man, for God's 



422 « KILLED THE PRINCE OF LIFE." 

justice demanded man's life, or a substitute for him. 
If you take out the blood from my Bible you may 
have all the rest. 

" 1 Peter ii. 24. Who is a substitute for you ? 
Adam sold out cheap in Eden; don't God say ye 
shall be redeemed without money (1 Pet. i. 18, 19). 
If gold could have redeemed the world, God would 
have created a thousand worlds rather than take the 
brightest jewel in the diadem of heaven, but God de- 
manded life alone, and gave His Son. Consider that 
God gave the blood of His Son, and you don't care 
for it, hate it ! If you are behind the blood it cries 
for pardon and gives peace — if you are not, it cries 
for damnation ! ' Let His blood be on us and on our 
children,' cried the murderers of Christ. Oh ! if they 
had added ' to save usf but no, it was to condemn, 
for they cried, Crucify Him, Crucify Him, and it has 
been upon them and their children ever since, for 
they have had no king and no country, but are a hiss- 
ing and reproach to the nations, and even the little 
children in America call the Jews ' Christ-killers.' 

" Not long ago one thousand Jews assembled in 
Paris, and clapped their hands in applause of the 
sentiment that they had killed the Christians' God. 



THE CLEANSING BLOOD. 423 

This was indorsing the fearful wickedness of their 
fathers. There will be a sad prayer-meeting one day : 
and those who would not have the blood to cover their 
sins, will have to call on the rocks to fall on them 
and cover them ! Get sheltered now by the blood, 
if you would escape in the days of His wrath. 

" He'll prevail by-and-by. The spear forced by the 
Roman soldier into the side of Christ was the crown- 
ing act of sin, yet blood flowed over the spear and 
covered it, the crowning i act of love. 5 "Without shed- 
ding of blood is no remission. Tou may say prayers, 
and build churches, but without the blood it is all 
useless. Let us look now at — 

" Heb. x. 28. Died without mercy. Listen ; no mer- 
cy ! What will you do with the blood of Grod's own 
Son ? When Jesus left this earth He took away with 
Him His flesh and bones, but left His blood drained 
out for you. What are you to do with it ? The key 
to heaven is not prayer, as the little hymn says, but 
blood. 

" A soldier in America was dying in the time of 
the w T ar, and he was heard to say, ' Blood, blood, 
blood.' A clergyman, thinking that the scenes of 
bloodshed on the battle-field which he had recently' 



424 HE A YEN. 



witnessed were troubling his mind, went to him to lead 
his thoughts to brighter themes. ' I wasn't thinking of 
the battle-field/ said he, ' but of the Mood of Jesus, 
which has covered all my sins.' Some make light of 
that blood, and have no faith in it, the only thing 
that would be a shelter and safety for them. The 
dying saint of whom brother Sankey sang, left his 
wif e and child joyfully, and went ' sweeping through 
the gates into the kingdom, washed in the blood of 
the Lamb. 5 That was a victor's shout. 

" How different such a departure from the coach- 
driver in California, who, feeling with his foot said, 
' I'm on the down grade, and cannot reach the brake,' 
and died. Oh ! shelter yourselves behind the blood 
of Christ Jesus, He will save every one who believes 
in Him." 

Heaven.* 

" I believe that heaven is real, hell is real, the devil 
real. God is real. If God did not wish us to speak 
about heaven, he would not have put so much about 
it in the Bible. 

* Delivered as a Bible lecture. The report is from the notes 
of a hearer, and can only be regarded as " notes." 



THE HOME OF JESUS. 425 

" (1.) Let us first locate heaven. Where is it? It is 
said in Scripture to be above. God went up from 
Abraham. God is a Person, has a throne, a dwelling- 
place (John iii. 13). The angels asked the disciples, 
1 Why stand ye gazing up into heaven ? ' Jesus was 
6 received up ' when he went to heaven. Down 
from God's dwelling-place (2 Chron. vii. 14; 1 Kings 
viii. 30). It is a great pleasure to think that God has 
a home (Matt. vi. 9). 

" (2.) But let us now think of the company in heaven. 
1. The Father of grace and glory is there. We say, 
6 Our Father, which art in heaven.' A great many 
people are lost by that prayer. It is not the Lord's 
prayer, but the disciples' prayer. The Lord's prayer 
is the 17th chapter of St. John. Satan rocks many off 
in a cradle to sleep on that so-called Lord's prayer. 
None but a disciple of Christ can use it, and say 
6 Our Father.' To the unsaved, Christ said, i Te 
are of your father the devil.' You pray for forgive- 
ness while your heart is full of enmity. ' Thy king- 
dom come.' That is praying for your own damna- 
tion, if unconverted. 

" 2. Jesus is now in heaven. In Acts vii. 55, 56, 

Stephen saw not mansions, but Jesus. Yes! the 
4 



426 ITS INHABITANTS. 



Master is there, and the redeemed are there. Stephen 
saw Him at the right hand of God, and he saw 
Stephen being stoned on earth, and stood up to 
receive him. Oh ! what a reception ! Jesus is there ! 
' That same Jesus ' who died for us, whose Spirit 
quickened us, whose love saved us ; and we shall soon 
see him there ; if not before, crowned with glory and 
honor. 

" Acts iii. 20, 21. It is as much the Christian's duty 
to watch for the second coming of the Son of God 
from heaven as to work for Christ. It is perfectly 
safe to obey God and watch for His coming again, for 
it. may be at any moment. The marriage-supper of 
the Lamb is coming, and we may be caught up for it 
at any time. 

" Matt, xviii. 10. 3. Angels are there. The pure and 
spotless creations of God, who have known nothing of 
sin and sorrow and travail, who have ever lived their 
life of bright intelligence and holy service in the sun- 
shine of God's presence — these are in heaven, and 
we shall meet them, and tell them of something they 
have never felt — the love of Jesus for sinful men. 

" Rev. vii. 9, 10. 4. Saints are there, the best of 
earth— all the pure and holy, from righteous Abel 



NAMES IN THE BOOK. 427 

downwards. All the old heroes of God, the warriors 
and kings, the prophets and the poets, the apostles 
and the early martyrs, all will be there, and we shall 
be able to hold sweet communion with them all ; and 
our own loved ones, the fathers and mothers, sisters 
and brothers, the babes, and the young and the old ; 
they will be amongst the shining band who go to 
swell the ranks of the redeemed before the throne of 
God. Oh, what a company is there — Father, Jesus, the 
Holy Ghost, angels, saints — all who have fallen asleep 
in Jesus — all waiting for us to come ; and I don't mean 
to lose that appointment; and, if I know myself, 
would rather be torn limb from limb than do so (John 
xii. 26, xiv. 3). We have work to do to get ready our- 
selves, and get friends in. What would have been 
Noah's feelings if one of his sons had been left out of 
the ark ! 

" 5. Luke x. 20. That's it ! our names are in heaven. 
My name's gone on before me. ' Eejoice,' saith 
Jesus. There's a terrible day coming. It is going to 
be dark. May God bring that little Miss up there to 
Jesus ! . There would be joy all over heaven, and her 
name in half a second would be written in the Lamb's 
book of life, and never to be blotted out again. Just 



428 TREASURE IN HEA YEN. 

as a man sends goods before him and he follows after, 
just so our names have gone on before, and we are 
journeying after them. We are known by name in 
heaven before we get there. The name of every 
saint is in the book of life, and cannot be blotted out 
again. A mother of nine children, dying in Con- 
necticut, said to her husband, ' I charge you to bring 
all those children home.' 

" A soldier in America was dying, and was heard to 
say i Sere ! ' When asked what it was, he said, 
'Hush, they are calling the roll in heaven, and I 
am answering to it ; ' and he cried, Here, and died. 

" (3.) What do we have in heaven ? Heaven is our 
treasure-house (Matt. vi. 20). Many Christians trouble 
themselves so much about heaping up treasures down 
here to leave them to their children, which is often 
their ruin. Lot may have Sodom, but look at the 
end ! He was burnt out. Abraham was on the hill- 
top with God. If your treasure is in heaven, your 
heart will follow. The only things we have, or can 
have, as saints, will be found there. All else must be 
left. Death strips us of everything not laid up in 
heaven. ' Lay up treasure in heaven.' It will be 
found there all safe when we want it, for there 



BE WARD IX HE A VEX. 42 9 

neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, nor do thieves 
break through and steal/ 

" (4.) IIovi vie may get a title to heaven (John iii. 3). 
Ton must be born into the kingdom ; there is no 
other way to get to heaven, than to be born an heir 
to it. Have you that birthright ? God was alone in 
creation and in redemption. He is alone in regenera- 
tion. Have you got a home beyond the grave ? Are 
you born of the Spirit ? that's the question of the day ! 
Xone but those who are born arain enter there. 

" 2 Tim. iv. 8. Paul was striving for the crown. 
He got salvation here. The devil found his match when 
he encountered Paul. Paul, I have no doubt, thanks 
God to-day for that Philippian jail. The Philippian 
jailer was saved by his being a prisoner there, and 
was the first man converted by him in Europe. John 
Bunyan thanks God for those twelve years in Bedford 
jail. I 'dare say the devil was not fifteen minutes in 
Eden before he ruined man, and he would conquer me 
to-night before I had tea were it not that my life is hid 
with Christ in God. But to sufferers for Christ, he 
says, ' Great is your reward in heaven? There, 
every man will receive his own reward for his own 
work. There will be no mixing up, no confusion, 



430 HEA YEN NEAB. 

but to each man will be given a full reward, accord- 
ing to his own labor. 

" Heb. iv. 9. People think that the Church is a 
place to rest in ; but God commands work ; and when 
a man's work is done, he will be told to ' come up 
higher. 5 "What are we to do before we get there! Let 
us ask God. 

" Heaven is nearer to us than people think. I have 
read of a man in this country who got discouraged, 
and dreamed that he went up to heaven, and saw the 
glories there ; and Jesus took him to the battlements, 
and told him to look down, and asked what he saw. 
He saw the earth, and men blindfolded, and a fiend 
leading them to a deep pit ; and Jesus asked him 
whether he would stay in heaven, and share its joys, 
or go back to earth, and lead men to see their danger 
and rescue them, and he said he would return, and 
never wish to go to heaven until God called him. He 
awoke, but was never discouraged again. The child 
of infidel parents, a girl of three years old, who had 
never heard the name of God but in her father's 
oaths, was dying, and said, " Duley's coming, God," 
and died. 

" This conference is a foretaste of heaven ; there 



HIGHER, HIGHER. 431 

have been no denominations here, but all are Chris- 
tians ; so will we be in heaven. "We will love Jesus, 
too, the more we know Him. I do not love my wife 
the less because I have been married twelve years. 
A lady tract-distributor wished to take a lady 
friend to see a bed-ridden saint. God has many 
stones in His temple, some for use, and some for 
ornament, and this w r as one for ornament, polished 
by years of suffering. They went up a stair for 
five stories, and at the first the friend said, 'It is 
very dirty here.' ' It wall be better higher up,' was 
the reply. At the next story the friend said it was 
' very dark there. 5 ' It will be better, higher up.' 
And at the top, they came into a pretty, clean sick- 
room, with light and flowers. A child was dying, and 
it said to his father, ' Lift me up, 5 and the father 
did so ; ' Higher, higher,' said the child, and again, 
6 Higher, higher, 5 till it was held at the stretch of its 
father's arms, and its Heavenly Father reached down 
and took it. Let our prayer be, ' Higher, higher, 
higher ! 5 ' Nearer my God to Thee, nearer to 
Thee ! ' I will look back on this as one of the hap- 
piest days of my life, when we talked about Christ. 
Napoleon struck a medal after a great battle, on one 



432 THREE BITTER ENEMIES. 

side of which was the date of the battle, and on the 
other ' I was There ; ' and we, looking back on 
this meeting here to-day, will gladly say in heaven 
itself, ' I was There.' 

" God bless you all. We will never all meet again on 
earth, but very soon we will meet in Heaven." 



The Christian Cootlict.* 

You must all remember that you have three ter- 
rible enemies to face. The first is the elesh, the 
second the world, and the third the devil. When 
the children of Israel got through the Red Sea, they 
began to sing their song of deliverance, and praise 
God, as if the w T hole of their trials were over, never 
thinking of the journey through the wilderness, with 
all its perils, temptations, and privations, which was 
before them. You who have been converted must 
not imagine that your troubles have ceased with your 
conversion and Red Sea deliverance. We have all 
got a wilderness journey and a warfare before us, and 

* Being the farewell address to young converts in Edinburgh, 
16th January, 1874. Eleven hundred and fifty were present. 



THE FLESH. 433 



we must not forget them, but brace ourselves up for 
them. 

If you turn to Galatians fifth, and read from the 
sixteenth to the twenty-second verse, you will learn 
something of your first enemy, the flesh. The warfare 
goes on continually between flesh and spirit. God 
did not change the flesh at your conversion. It re- 
mains still unchanged and unchangeable. That which 
is born of the flesh remains flesh until it is dropped 
in the grave, or at Christ's coming; and in the mean- 
time you must pray against the evil passions men- 
tioned in these verses, and keep the old man in the 
place of death. You must take care not to feed " the 
old man which is corrupt" by the follies and pursuits 
of the unconverted world. Read novels, attend the 
theater, go to the dance, if you want to feed "the old 
man." 

You cannot serve both God and mammon, and 
the only way you can serve God is by opposing 
the flesh, and by the Spirit mortifying the deeds of 
the body. "In me — that is, in my flesh — dwelleth 
no good thing," says Paul, and this we must always 
keep in remembrance. Christ is in us ; but there is 
no good thing in the flesh. If we learn that fact in 
19 



434 LET ALONE. 



the morning of our Christian life, it will be a happy 
day for us. For a time after I was converted I 
thought all the conflict was over ; but I found it was 
not so, and so will you. 

When God converted us He gave us a new nature 
— life in Christ — and the flesh lusteth against the 
Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, and these are 
contrary the one to the other. 

The flesh will always continue to lust against the 
Spirit, and you must maintain the conflict resolutely. 
Ungodly men say they have not that conflict; but the 
reason is, they have never known the life of God. 

There is a story told of a gentleman in our country 
who had a servant — a negro — we call such Sambo — 
and he was a converted man, and his master used to 
banter him about his religion, and to say, " Sambo, 
you are always talking of the conflict; I don't have 
any of your groaning and the conflict you talk of." 
One day they were out hunting. His master blazed 
away at some ducks, and did not mind the dead ones, 
but sent Sambo after the wounded ones. "Massa," 
said he, when he next spoke to him of his warfare, 
"as you did not care for the dead ducks — you knew 
you had them ; so Satan leaves you all quiet. Tou 



P UT SELF A WA Y. 435 



are dead, and he lets you alone ; but he is after me, 
because I am wounded, but alive." 

I have found, however, that those who try to serve 
both God and the world have most trouble, and that 
those who come out boldly for Christ, and turn their 
backs completely on the world, and are out and out 
for God, have little or no trouble. 

.Remember what is said in Philippians iii. 3 — 
" Have no confidence in the flesh" Have all the 
confidence you can in Christ, but have none in your- 
selves. The moment you put confidence in "the 
flesh" it will bring you into captivity and darkness. 
Peter had confidence in himself, and it led to his 
denying his Master. If you are going to work and 
speak for the Lord Jesus, take care of one thing — do 
not speak about yourselves. I am disgusted some- 
times when I hear men get up at these meetings and 
talk about themselves, or if they don't get an oppor- 
tunity of doing it in a speech, they take the chance 
which a prayer offers, and tell the audience their 
whole history, when they are ostensibly addressing 
God. Shun that above all things. When you say or 
do anything, speak or do it in the name of Jesus 
Christ, and keep self entirely in the background. 



436 THE WOBLD. 



Then will God bless your efforts. When u the flesh " 
comes and wants you to submit to it, don't listen ; but 
say, " You're not my master ; I serve the Lord 
Christ. 55 "Not I, but Christ;" "Not in the flesh, 
but in the Spirit," is our happy state. But you need 
to watch " the flesh " as an enemy ; for depend upon 
it " the flesh " is not dead, and will never be so, until 
we are in our coffin, or " changed in a moment. 55 I 
would say ' to young men : Never get into argument 
with skeptics or reasoners on doctrine — it will get you 
into the flesh, and you will never convince them. 
When Job argued, he went down ! The sore boils — 
his losses — his wife — and all his trials he could stand ; 
but when he got into argument with his friends, "the 
flesh 55 came out in all its offensiveness. Do not 
exhort much in the meetings, but point out what the 
grace of God has done for you or others, simply and 
humbly. Talk about the Master, and not about the 
servant, and people will be always glad to hear you. 
Let your theme be " Jesus only" 

2. The "World. — John xvii. 15, 16: "I pray not 
that Thou shouldst take them out of the world, but 
that Thou shouldst keep them from the evil. 55 Re- 
member that you are out of the old creation and into 



WOULD UNCHANGED. 437 

the new creation. Daniel was kept witnessing for 
God in Babylon. You must learn to be like a rock 
in the stream, past which the current flows rapidly, 
but it is unmoved. You are still in the world, but 
you are not of the world. You are citizens of another 
world, and only strangers and pilgrims here. We 
belong to America; we are only temporary sojourners 
with you. While here I am an American ; so while 
in the world I belong to heaven — not to America; I 
live there, that's my home. We have got our natural- 
ization papers out for heaven, and we belong to it 
alone. What would we do mixing with the joys of 
this world? We have something better; and as the 
world is after the best thing, if they see you happy, 
they will want it. What retards Christianity so 
much is the Church getting mixed up with the 
world. People may think that if they go into the 
world a little — attend the theater, opera, balls — they 
can get the world drawn into religious meetings; 
but it is a delusion. Though we throw a piece 
of fresh beef into the sea, we don't make it fresh; so, 
though we go into the world ever so little, we don't 
change it for the better, but it will change us for the 
worse. We must come right out, and be separate. 



438 WHAT IS GIVEN UP. 

Those who are separate draw many with them to 
heaven ; while one worldly Christian deludes and 
drags many down to hell. 

It was the mixed multitude that came with Israel 
out of Egypt that made them lust after the things of 
Egypt, and loathe the manna which is called angels' 
food. If you mix with the world, it will give you a 
distaste for divine things, and you will be both use- 
less and unhappy. 

Worldly Christians are very unhappy. If you do 
not leave the world entirely, with its novels, theaters, 
and operas, it will never leave you, and you will be 
poor, miserable Christians. Bat if you leave the 
world entirely, you will have ten thousand times 
more enjoyment than you could have ever had in the 
world's pleasures. For eighteen years 1 have had 
something better. I enjoy every year more than the 
preceding, so true is it that if you give up anything 
for Christ, He makes it up to you many times. His 
love smile, His gracious approval, is more than all the 
world. But are children not to play at all on be- 
coming Christians? These boys must not think that 
I am saying they may not go and play their cricket 
and their games of ball, but I say that when they are 



THE PRINCE OF THIS WORLD. 439 

at play, at these healthy exercises, they must always 
keep in mind that they are Christians, and they must 
not stand to hear the name of the Master whom they 
serve profaned by their companions, but leave them 
entirely if they do not desist. 

3. The Devil. — .Now look at 2 Corinthians xi. 14: 
"And no marvel, for Satan himself is transformed 
into an angel of light." It would be well to take a 
Concordance and look up all the names of the devil. 
You would flud him called the great red dragon, and 
you would be frightened for him as such, but not as 
an angel of light. And mark you, Satan does not, as 
many think, come in a hideous form, in which he will 
be known, but sometimes even* as an angel of light. 
You want to be on your guard against him, for in 
him we have a terrible enemy, and all the more dan- 
gerous that he can transform himself into an angel of 
light. 

The devil never got away any one who has been 
converted; but he may make them lose their hap- 
piness and spoil their testimony in the world. Sam- 
son was strong; but Satan got hold of him, and ruined 
his testimony to the world. You will find he is 
called u the prince of this world" in John xiv. 30. 



440 EVIL THOUGHTS. 

Christ is not the King of this world just now; they 
cast Him out, and slew Him. And that is a very 
good reason why we should break off from this world, 
and have only to do with that one where Christ is on 
the throne. Bear in mind your three enemies — the 
flesh, the world, and the devil — who would fain bring 
us down to hell, and, if they cannot do that, keep us 
in disquiet and dispeace. But we have three friends 
for us who are greater than the enemies against us — 
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy 
Ghost, and all the hosts of heaven. They are able to 
keep us, and beat back the doubts and fears and evil 
thoughts suggested by our enemies. When Elisha's 
servant's eyes were opened, he saw the mountains full 
of horses and chariots about them — all the hosts of 
heaven on their side. There are more for us than all 
who can be against us. Some young converts are 
much distressed about evil thoughts. Now, the sin 
lies not in them coming into your mind, but in your 
harboring them. As one has said, ""We cannot help 
the birds from flying over our heads, but we can pre- 
vent them building their nests in our hair." Ask 
God's help to beat those evil thoughts off. In our- 
selves we have no power against those terrible ene- 



CLOSE TO THE ROCK. 441 

rnies ; but we have got Christ, the Lion of the tribe 
of Judah, in whom is our strength, and through Him 
we may have constant victory. 

Turn to Exodus xvii. 6 : " Behold, I will stand 
before thee there upon the rock in Horeb ; and thou 
shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out 
of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so 
in the sight of the elders of Israel." Here we have 
the Trinity. The rock is Christ ; the water the Holy 
Ghost: and "I" is God the Father. The water is 
everything. There is refreshment, and it follows us ; 
for 1 Cor. x. 4 reads, " They drank of that spiritual 
Rock that went with them ; and that Rock was 
Christ." There is a tunnel over the Rocky Moun- 
tains, and the bore is so contracted that there is no 
room for a man to escape if two trains were coining 
alongside of each other ; but they have cut niches in 
the solid rock, into which a person may go and be 
safe. Two children were thus caught one day — a 
sister and her little brother; and after she got her 
brother into one of these niches, she went to the one 
on the opposite side, and just as the trains were about 
to whisk past them she cried to her little brother, 
" Cling close to the rock." The trains passed, and 



442 FOUR PRECIOUS THINGS. 

they were safe in the clefts of the rock. This is all 
you want, dear young Christians; cling close to the 
Rock of your salvation — Jesus your Saviour. That 
Rock which is a place both for spiritual rest and re- 
freshment, "that Rock which folio weth. you, that 
Rock which is Christ" (1 Cor. x. 4). Get good foot- 
ing on that Rock : as the Irishman said, you may 
tremble on the Rock, but the Rock will never trem- 
ble, however much the waves may beat against it. 

And never forget where God found you. The 
Lord's portion is His people ; Jacob is the lot of His 
inheritance. He found him in a desert land, and in 
the waste, howling wilderness. He led him about, 
He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His 
eye. There are four precious things here — God 
found you; He leads you about ^ instructs you, and 
Iceeps you as the apple of His eye. 

A story of thrilling interest was lately recorded in 
an American weekly illustrated paper. 

The Spanish authorities in Cuba had arrested a 
man who, though born in England, was a naturalized 
United States citizen. He was charged with con- 
spiracy against the Government, and ordered to be 
shot. But the consuls of both England and America 



SAFETY BY THE BLOOD. 443 

believed the man to be innocent, and used all the 
persuasion and entreaty in their power for his release, 
but the proud Spaniards haughtily disregarded their 
petition. 

The hour of execution had now arrived, and a com- 
pany of soldiers were drawn up in line. The con- 
demned English-American marched out before them, 
calmly awaiting his fate. He stood at the foot of the 
grave, already dug, his coat off, and his hands pin- 
ioned behind him. The officer ordered his men to 
load, and at the word "present," they brought their 
rifles to their shoulders, awaiting the word of com- 
mand to fire. 

In the awful suspense, suddenly there sprang for- 
ward from the bystanders the two consuls ; the one 
drawing from his breast the Stars and Stripes, wrapped 
it right round the prisoner, whilst the other threw 
over him the Union Jack. The consuls now stood 
on either side, defying the Spaniards, who dared not 
fire on the flags of two of the mightiest nations under 
heaven, and the man was released, and proved his in- 
nocence to the satisfaction of the authorities. 

Well may the Christian exclaim, " Oh, the security 
and the blessedness of being enveloped in the blood- 



444 A STRAIGHT PATH. 

stained banner of the Cross ! " or, in the triumphant 
words of Paul in Romans viii. : "Who shall lay any- 
thing to the charge of God's elect?" His banner over 
us is love ! He that toucheth a child of God touches 
the apple of His eye. Always keep in mind that it 
takes the same power to keep you that it took to con- 
vert you. 

" Let us run with patience the race that is set be- 
fore us, looking unto Jesus, the. author and the fin- 
isher of our faith." "When I was a boy, I used to try 
to describe a straight path through the snow in a field 
by looking down at my feet, but it turned out to be 
a zigzag, because I was looking down at my feet. 
The way to make a straight path would be to look at 
an object beyond ; and so in this passage we are 
directed to have our eye on the mark at the right 
hand of the Majesty in the heavens, and be " looking 
unto Jesus? 

In Col. ii. 6, there are seven things enjoined. 
The first thing we have to do is to receive Christ, 
then to walk in Him, be rooted in Him, and be built 
up in Him. We will then be complete in Him, and be 
buried with Him in baptism, and be raised with Him. 

In our country there are sometimes seen great 



HE IS ABLE. 445 



trees blown over and torn up by the roots, and the 
occasion of it was the shallow soil. So it is with 
many professors — they for a while believe, but in 
time of temptation they fall away, because they had 
not been rooted in Christ. Be rooted in Christ, and 
built up in Him as ye have been taught. This points 
to the inward and outward growth of the Christian. 
The only way to keep from falling is to grow. 

Turn to 1 John iv. 9, 10, and you will see that 
Christ was manifested to give us life, put away our 
sins ; and herein is love, that we then got peace, and 
God dwells in us ; and this is power, and we will 
have boldness in the day of judgment, because as He 
is, so are we in this world. 

You will find in Heb. ii. 18, that Christ is able to 
succor them that are tempted ; and in Rom. xiv. 4, 
that He is " able to make us stand." Daniel, Moses, 
Elijah, were made able to stand. Remember that 
word " able." Heb. vii. 25, " Wherefore He is able 
also to save them to the uttermost that come unto 
God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make inter- 
cession for them." "He is able to make all grace 
abound toward you" (2 Cor. ix. 8) and able to help 
you to work for Him ; and " He is able to keep that 



44:6 jjsr THE FURNACE. 

which we have committed to Him against that day" 
(2 Tim. i. 12). What gives us confidence in the Bank 
of England ? Because it is able to pay every demand 
made upon it. What gives us confidence in a certain 
line of steamers ? Because they have never lost a 
single passenger ; they have a reputation for safety, 
and we commit ourselves to them with all confidence ; 
and our life is surely safe when " our life is hid with 
Christ in God." 

Be strong in faith, for what God has promised 
He is able to perform (Rom. iv. 20). We may have 
the most perfect confidence in the God who has 
promised. The three men in Babylon who were 
threatened with the fiery furnace would not bow 
down to the idol, but said, with all confident bold- 
ness, " Our God, whom we serve, is able to deliver us 
from the burning fiery furnace ; and He will deliver 
us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known 
unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, 
nor worship the golden image thou hast set up" 
(Dan. iii. 17, 18). They were cast into the furnace ; 
but one like the Son of God walked with them, and 
they came forth unhurt " from the midst of the fire." 
And so will we come forth from every trial, for our 



FAREWELL TO CHRLST. 447 

God is able to deliver us. He numbers the hairs of 
our head ; no one cares for us so. When Joseph was 
ill-treated and sold into Egypt, it is said, " God was 
with him ; " and He delivered him marvelously. 
Trust in God, like Paul, who says, " Who delivered 
us from so great a death, and doth deliver ; in whom 
we trust that He will yet deliver us" (2 Cor. i. 10). 

Bear in mind that God never leaves you, and 
that if you ever get away from Him it is because you 
have left Him. And if ever you do leave Jesus to 
go back to the world, do with Him as you would 
when going to leave any earthly friend. Go into 
your closet and say, u Lord Jesus, I am about to leave 
Thee, and go back to the world. I thank Thee for 
all Thy kindness, and for the joy I have had since I 
knew Thee ; and now, as I do not mean to come to 
Thee any more, I have come to say farewell." The 
bare idea of such a thing is intolerable. 

c: He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all 
that we ask or think " (Eph. iii. 20) ; and " He is able 
to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless 
before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy," 
(Jude 24). He is able to keep these young converts. 

The next time you and I all meet, we will be 



448 a HERALD OF THE OBOSS. 

before Him, and that will be a glorious day, "pre- 
sented faultless before the presence of His glory." 
May God grant that that may be your end and mine ! 
We need not fall if we put our trust in Him who is 
able to keep us from falling. I remember Mr. Sankey 
reading out of the papers the obituary of one who 
had been holding up Christ, and it ran thus : " He 
was a true herald of the cross ; he died with the 
shout of victory on his lips and the trump of God in 
his handsP Let it be so written of us when we go 
hence. Live in loving fellowship with Jesus, treating 
Him as a personal friend, and He will never leave 
you nor forsake you. 

As long as we live we never shall forget these 
blessed happy days we have spent with you in Edin- 
burgh, and I hope we shall meet you all at the Lamb's 
right hand in the day when He makes up His jewels ; 
and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Amen. 

Prayer.* 

I suppose there has been no word on Christians' 
lips so frequently at this time as the word " Prayer," 
and there is not one in this hall who has not thought 

* Delivered at the noon prayer-meeting, Edinb., Jan. 6, 1874. 



P BAYER HEARD. 449 

often, during the last forty-eight hours, of the impor- 
tance of prayer. 

During this week of prayer, they are a great many 
not only thinking about it, but talking about it. 
When there is a special interest and awakening in the 
community on the subject of religion, then it is that 
a great many skeptics and infidels, and a great many 
mere nominal professors of Christianity— we will not 
judge them — begin talking against "prayer." 

They say, " The author of the world doesn't change 
His plans because of these prayers. The world goes 
right on. You cannot move God to change His mind 
or His doings." Ton hear this on every side. These 
young converts hear it. I have no doubt that many 
are staggered by it, and when ' you kneel down you 
say, " Is it a fact that God answers prayer ? Is there 
anything in it \ " 

I think it would do us good in the week of prayer 
to take the word "pkayee," and run through the 
Bible tracing it out. Read about nothing else. I 
think you would be perfectly amazed if you took up 
the word "prayer" and counted the cases in the Bible 
where people are recorded as praying, and God 
answering their prayers. 



450 MAN' 8 WEAKNESS. 

A great many think it is only the perfectly right- 
eous and pure that pray. But you remember who it 
was who prayed in this fashion, " Lord remember me 
when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom." You 
remember that Christ answered the dying thief's 
prayer. 

We cannot but notice that every man of God 
spoken of in the Bible was a man of prayer. You 
have therefore very good authority and encourage- 
ment for asking God to hear your prayers, and for 
praying on behalf of others, as we are daily requested 
to do. Many are surprised at these requests. But 
many mothers and fathers are rejoicing that they sent 
them in. The prayers offered up here have been 
answered, and their children have been saved. 

Last night I was more confirmed in my views re- 
garding the power of prayer than ever. " This is all 
excitement," some say ; " it is got up by earnest ap- 
peals that work on the feelings of people, and move 
their impulses, making them uneasy and anxious." 
Now, for example, there was nothing said last night 
to speak of, and I never was more disgusted with 
myself than I was on Sunday night. It seemed as if 
. I could not preach the Gospel, as if my tongue would 



PEA TEE AND PEA CE. 45 1 

not speak. But still the number of inquirers was 
extraordinary. 

Last night, when there was no speaking at all, and 
when I just came in and asked that any inquirers 
might follow me into the moderator's room, taking a 
few with me, and expecting to come in and ask out 
a few more when I had seen these, the number was 
so great that came out without solicitation that I did 
not need to return. I saw oyer a hundred inquirers 
last night, and there were from fifty to seventy that 
I had to close the door on, being unable to see them. 

A great many who have not been at the meetings 
at all, have been converted in their own homes. God 
is working, not we. Oh ! that we would keep our- 
selves down in the dust, and every one of us get out 
of the way, and let God work. It would be so easy 
for Him to go into every dwelling in Edinburgh, and 
convict and convert ten thousand souls. 

Look at the 6th verse of the 4th chapter of Philip- 
pians. " Be careful for nothing, but in everything " 
— mark that — "by prayer and supplication, with 
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto 
God." He doesn't say He will answer all, but He 
says, " And the peace of God, which passeth all un- 



452 HEZEKIAE'S CUT. 

del-standing, shall keep your hearts and minds through 
Jesus Christ." 

He tells us to make our wants known ; to make our 
requests known to Him by prayer and supplication. 
It is right to come and make our requests known. 
He has told us to come and pray for the conversion 
of souls. 

It is said by many people that God does not do 
anything supernatural in answer to prayer ; that the 
God of nature moves right on and never changes His 
decrees. Head the first six verses of the 20th chapter 
of 2d Kings, and see — " In those days was Hezekiah 
sick unto death : and the prophet Isaiah, the son of 
Amoz, came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the 
Lord, Set thine house in order ; for thou shalt die, and 
not live. Then he turned his face to the wall, and 
prayed unto the Lord, saying, I beseech Thee, O Lord, 
remember now how I have walked before Thee in 
truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done that 
which is good in Thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. 
And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the 
middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, 
saying, Turn again, and tell Hezekiah, the captain of 
my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David, thy 



FOB CHRIST 8 SAKE. 553 

father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears, 
behold I will heal thee ; on the third day thou shalt 
go up unto the house of the Lord, and I will add 
unto thy days fifteen years ; and I will deliver thee 
and this city out of the hand of the King of Assyria ; 
and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and 
for my servant David's sake." "Was not that a direct 
answer to prayer ? Hezekiah was only praying for his 
own life ; we are come together to pray for the life of 
others, and not their temporal but their eternal welfare. 
He was not praying for Christ's sake as we now do, 
but we can come to-day and ask God to save the souls 
of men for Christ's sake, not only for our sake, but 
for the sake of the beloved Son. He loves to honor 
that Son, and to see Christ honored. We can come 
now and ask Him to save souls, that it might bring 
glory and honor to the Son of His bosom, and glory 
and honor to the Son He delights to honor. " I will," 
He says to Hezekiah, u defend the city for mine own 
sake, and for my servant David's sake." That is only 
one instance. 

Look also at Daniel praying. It was his prayers 
that took the Jews back to Jerusalem. It was his 
prayers that turned Nebuchadnezzar to the God of 



454 JEHOSHAPHAT. 

Israel, and brought Gabriel down from heaven to tell 
him he was greatly beloved. He had power with 
God. 

See also how God answered Jacob's prayers and 
Isaac's prayers. All through the Bible we have 
records of the answers to prayers. It would be ter- 
rible to think that God did not delight to answer 
prayer. 

Turn to the 20th chapter of 2d Chronicles. There 
we read that the Moabites, the Ammonites, and 
others coming against Jehoshaphat, he was afraid, 
" and set himself to seek the Lord," and that after- 
wards Judah " gathered themselves together to ask 
help of the Lord." That is what we want — to seek 
the Lord not only here in the public assembly, 
but alone. If you have got an unconverted 
friend, and are anxious that he should be saved, go 
and tell it privately to Jesus, and if a blessing does 
not come, like Jehoshaphat, spend a few days in fast- 
ing, and prayer, and humiliation. "If when evil 
cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, pestilence, or 
famine, we stand before this house, and in Thy pres- 
ence (for Thy name is in this house), and cry unto 
Thee in our affliction, then Thou wilt hear and help." 



GOD SAVE SCOTLAND. 455 

When I go into the streets, and see the terrible 
wickedness, and blasphemy, and drunkenness that is 
in them, it seems dark, but I look up and think that 
God can repel those dark waves of sin and iniquity. 
Let us pray that God will bless this land of Scotland, 
bless and save all the people in it. It would be a 
great thing for us, but very little for God. May God 
give us faith ! 



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